Ctrl F11 not working

Question

I am trying to restore a co-workers Dimension 3000 running XP Home and the Ctrl F11 is not responding. After the dell splash screen i am asked to select what OS to start, from here i am 3 options. Option 1 is Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. I can boot from this but it takes forever. Option 2 is the same as above but get an error stating, 'Windows could not start because of the following file is missing or corrupt: \system32\hal.dll  Please install a copy of the above file'. Option 3 is F8 for trobleshooting and advanced start option.   Is there a way to get this machine back to the original state as day 1?    Thanks....  Scott

Smw72 · Answer

i was able to look in MY COMPUTER and only seen the C drive and no other drive. Is the ghost image on the C drive or is it partitioned to E drive?   He could not find any dell cds to reformatt the drive.

BELL BOY · Answer

Checkout this thread , reply if still having problems

Smw72 · Answer

Good Good, the dsr utility is there and healthy(uknown partition). Does this mean that i have to try and figure out how to use the Dsrfix from http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/fixes.htm ? Have you or anyone used this?   I am not too familiar with dos and quite intimidated by it.

BELL BOY · Answer

Only if the DSR utility was in fact preinstalled?

Start > right click My Computer > Manage > Disk Management, if you see a FAT32 partition, size about 3 to 4GB then it’s the DSR partition (contains original Dell system image) if not it’s gone forever :smileymad:

To fix missing or corrupt system32\hal.dll file carefully read this Fred Langa article

BELL BOY · Answer

Lots have reported success fixing damaged Dell modified MBR using Dsrfix tool, but few have supplied feedback detail, hence reason for providing above thread link

Most are intimidated, normally recommend (but forgot) best take a print of Dan’s dsrfix tool procedure & keep reading until fully understood – it’s really not so difficult then

Smw72 · Answer

Good and Bad!!!   I was able to run the Dsrfix successfully, but it was not able to fix the problem. There was 2 fatal errors that isn't fixable. The program was very easy to run once i was able to make a bootable cd. The good thing is, this machine has a warranty 'til 2009 and will them my friend call dell and have them deal w/it. I can fdisk the machine if he had a xp disk, but will not have any other software.  Thanks for your help and patients.     --Scott

BELL BOY · Answer

Hi Scott

At least you tried, suggest requesting WXP OS Reinstallation CD from Dell click here, meanwhile if available, you can use any Dell OEM WXP OS Reinstallation CD as long as it’s same version as original OS installed on Dim 3000 (presumably WXP Home)

Fatal errors may be as a result of either: (i) HDD (hard disk drive) sector problems so try booting to F12 key to run Dell diagnostics or (ii) previous repairs to Windows that has also damage original MBR

If HDD is OK, when OS Reinstallation CD is available, you have a choice:

1. Try above fix mentioned in Fred Langa article, or

2. Do a WXP clean install use this step-by-step guide

Doing a WXP clean install means you also need to reinstall computer system drivers from Dell ResourcesCD or download them from here, drivers must be reinstalled in a particular order here, if doing a WXP clean install, do not delete the DSR utility partition

After using either of above options to fix fatal error (if it's software), you can then use Dsrfix tool to restore Ctrl+F11 key function

Smw72 · Answer

I just ran the dell diagnostics and came up w/code 7. I googled code 7 and found out it is a bad HD. Since this system is still under warranty, dell will be replacing the drive.   Next question is, depending what warranty coverage he has. Does dell just mail him a new HD w/OS,drivers, and original software already on new HD or will i have to install them seperately. Will he get a copy off everything on a cd/dvd to be installed? Perhaps he has the in home service and they will send someone to visit him. Who does there in home warranty?    Again,  thanks for the A++ replies.      --Scott

BELL BOY · Answer

Not so good news :smileymad:

Normally it’s a blank HDD, but I’d politely request that the HDD has original preinstalled build, includes all preinstalled partition utilities (e.g. DSR utility), after all that’s how it was sold, read this thread

Otherwise you will need to do a WXP clean install & install Dimension 3000 system drivers etc

Just make sure Dell do supply OEM WXP OS ReinstallationCD & ResourcesCD

“Who does there in home warranty” depends where you are, most likely contracted out & like everything else there are good & bad techies

If not seen, download Dimension 3000 Owners Manual (PDF document) from here

Windows General

Ctrl F11 not working

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