Factory Image Restore

ya I have followed the instructions as described at the link......  http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=362066

But still I can't see the option Dell Factory Image Restore.

I was experimenting a lot with the Dell Factory Image Restore process a year or so ago.  Seems like I recall that after the image has been applied the first time with imagex, that it would allow running PCRestore.exe from the command prompt in the F8 Recovery Environment or a live bootable Preinstallation Enviroment disc.  Then, after doing it the second time the Dell Factory Image Restore option returned to the F8 Recovery Environment.

The PCRestore.exe utility does a couple things besides just applying the image.  Among other things, I believe it uses the setautofailover.cmd command to direct the Recovery Enviroment to the customized Dell boot.wim file which includes the Recovery option.  Just applying the image doesn't do that.

Might be worth giving it a try.

Can you please...... tell me exactly how to do it.

would be of grt help.

Tap F8 while booting, go to "Repair Your Computer."   After the Recovery Environment loads and you get past the language screen and user/password screen select Command Prompt.  Once at the command prompt type the following followed by "enter":

d:

cd\Tools

PCRestore

If the Recovery Environment doesn't load from F8, boot the installation disc like before and work your way to the command prompt where you would run PCRestore following the same steps above.

If PCRestore runs this time, the Recovery Enviroment option should return for Dell Factory Image Restore.

Let us know how you make out.

Hi all.

I am having problem with restoring my dell studio 1558 to original settings.

It started of from virus. I tried to repair computer, but I couldn't access "Repair Computer" from F8 menu as I was getting error message - Recovery Options Error. So I reinstalled Windows from the Windows DVD provided by Dell. Since then I cannot see Factory Settings.

I've tried everything from this topic, but nothing helps.

I've created Live CD but got BSoD, I've tried changing ATA to IDE but I don't have IDE option from BIOS. When I run cmd from Repair Your Computer, the commands cd/tools doesn't work, nor the imagex on which I get messge that it's not supported or something like that, and from within a Windows, it starts off, but when it reaches 1% it says that I don't have rights to do the following action.

Is there anything else I can try?

Thanks for responses

Is the D:\RECOVERY partition still intact or did you wipe the hard drive when you reinstalled Windows?

The recovery partition is intact. However, there's something strange going on.

I can only access recovery partition in command prompt, after I insert Windows 7 disk and go to the point where I'm choosing the partition to install Windows. From there I can see recovery partition which is located on F: drive. After I close installation and open cmd I can access the recovery drive. 

When i run cmd from recovery menu (F8) then the recovery is assigned to different drive letter which is very confusing to me.

Is there anything I can do about it??

Thanks

You can see all of the files and folders on the recovery partition?  Your symptoms almost sound like the Tools folder and files are missing.

What Live CD are you using?  If one gives you permission errors, try another one.  I use BartPE and VistaPE regularly and I recall that BartPE would allow running the imagex but VistaPE would complain about permissions.

The actual drive letters assigned isn't important; they can vary depending on what you boot from.  The RECOVERY partition should be the second physical partition on the drive (preceeded by a small Dell OEM partition which has the Dell Diagnostics on it and followed by the OS partition).  When you boot the live CD, make sure the \Tools\ folder and the \Dell\ folder exist and contain files.  Then try the imagex command again.

If all else fails, call Dell and request the System Restore DVDs (SRDVDs) for your Service Tag.  These are not the discs that ship with the computer nor are they the discs which you can request from Dell online.  These are custom burned DVDs that Dell uses for their field service people to restore a computer to factory shipped state in cases like hard drive failure.  It may take several calls and Dell will certainly deny they even exist (which is partially true because they are only burned when needed) but they are available.  Here's a link to additional discussion of what they are, how to use them and why Dell might deny they exist or why they won't want to ship them to you:

http://www.mydellmini.com/forum/windows-xp-guides/1506-how-re-image-your-mini9-dells-image-your-system.html

Hi Zrtom,

I went through all the 68 messages to find solution for my problem but all I got messed up with Vista, XP and Win 7 OS resolutions.

My problem is I recently purchased a Studio 15 laptop with Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit. While trying to install a VPN client I messed up the OS and other things and finally run the Win 7 Re-installation CD I received, which installed the fresh copy of Win 7 Home on my C-Drive. All the factory installed application were gone. Now I wanted to get back my system to Factory settings.

For this, as in few resolutions was mentioned, I tried to re-boot -> F8 -> Advanced options. But here the 'Dell Factory image restore' option is not coming.

I asked Dell support, so they sent me 1 more copy of same Win 7 Re-Installation CD. On further calling them, they sent a new Hard Disk with OS image (thats what they said) but it actually turned out to be HDD with only OS installed, as I already had before.

But here when I tried F8 and Advanced options, I got 'Dell Factory image restore' option but on selecting this and NEXT, it prompt 'Parameter is not correct' and below 'Restart'. Thats all. I checked the partitions, and both HDD have RECOVERY partition in them with data.

I am struck and not able to recover my system back to Factory settings.

Could someone please help me. I would be very very thankful.

Thanks.

Sandy

Post Deleted. Wrong Thread.

Ajay, When you installed Windows 7 from the DVD, it overwrote the Dell Proprietary Boot Record (PBR).  Once you restored the Factory Image manually, it should have also restored Dell's PBR.    Review the instructions given here for the proper method to access the Dell Factory Image Restore option: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=362066 I hope this info helps. Tony

Hi, you seem to know a thing or two. I have an Inspiron 1501 with Windows XP Vista Capable but no longer the DELL CD/DVDs. I want to restore the PC to the factory settings. I simultaneously press and release Ctrl and F11, and get 5 options: a) safe mode b) safe mode with networking c) safe mode with command prompt d) last known good configuration (your most recent settings that worked) e) start Windows normally --> I select safe mode --> get 2 user names: mine and Administrator --> Click on Administrator --> get a message "Windows is running in safe mode ... To proceed to work in safe mode, click yes. If you prefer to use system restore your computer to a previous state, click no" --> tried both options but nothing happened. In option "yes" I got a black desktop with SAFE MODE appearing on screen, when restarted the PC, everything is still there. In option "no" there is no restore points available and as a result the only options available are CANCEL and BACK. I tried to restart afterwards and still no results. Any idea what could be done? Many thanks for your help. You can email me as well just in case, <ADMIN NOTE: Email id removed per privacy policy>

MarcelBurger,

Question?  When you start up your 1501 do you see a blue bar with www.dell.com on it right after the Dell logo and before Windows boots?  If so, then you should be able to access the Dell PC Restore by Symantec by pressing the CTRL and F11 keys simulataneously while the Dell logo is on screen.  

Also, has anyone such as a computer repair shop performed a repair install of XP at any time?  If so, Dell's proprietary boot record could have been modified and that would prevent access to the Restore partition with CTRL-F11.  That can be repaired.

You can order backup CDs for your system here:  support.dell.com/.../backupcd_form

I look forward to your reply.

Tony

When I start the PC I see the blue DELL logo in big letters in the middle of the screen but no blue bar with www.dell.com. A Dell technician did bring the PC to the factory settings 15 months ago. Do you think the proprietary boot record could have still been modified? I bought the PC in Canada but currently I reside in Europe. Is it a problem for Dell to ship the product to Europe? Btw, my warrany has expired. Many thanks for the quick response.