Factory Restore Question..

Question

I have  contacted Dell Support concerning a Display problem with my 531S.  They have had me do numerous things to correct the problem with no luck.  As a last resort, they have asked me to resore the computer to the factory software load and see what happens.   I have been reluctant to do this as the computer that I transferred everything (mail and settings) from is long gone.  Using ACRONIS 10 Backup software, I have made a copy of the hard drive.  My question is this.. If the restore to factory software loadout corrects the problem (doubtful).. What will happen if I restore the the backup made on the external HD with Acronis,, will only the files and applications be reloaded, or will the entire operating system be restored, in which case the problem would again be put back in the computer?,

Rebel9 · Answer

With Acronis, you have a few options. You can restore the complete drive image (in which case you would probably be restoring the problem) or you can recover individual files and folders. If you choose the latter, you would only restore your data files. You cannot restore programs or applications with this method.   Best method then (if you choose the factory restore) is to reinstall any additional applications which you may have installed after you purchased the computer, perform any required Windows Updates, and then recover your data files from the Acronis image.

GioAguilar · Answer

Have you think on the posibility of save your files on CDs/DVDs. or even better, on your External HDD. After the restore process, just transfer the files where you are used to have them.

mombodog · Answer

' Display problem with my 531S.'   How about we work on this problem, before doing anything drastic?   More info please.

STGCMTED · Answer

Several of the desktop icons and web site pictures are extremely pixilated and grainy.. Especially the MSN desktop icon.  I have reloaded it (msn icon) and even tried another monitor.. same results.. poor video on only some icons / pictures / alpha-numerics..  Dell has had me reset the monitor, computer display settings, and so on.. no improvement.   the last thing they have told me to do is reset the computer to factory condition.. I don't see how this will help either...

mombodog · Answer

I cannot see it being a video or monitor problem, since it does not affect all icons, strange problem though.

GioAguilar · Answer

A screen shot of those icons may give us an idea on what's going on... I guess an updated Video driver already was installed.

STGCMTED · Answer

I have a clipped section of my desktop (Vista) showing the problem with the MSN Butterfly icon, but have no way to post it on this site.. The icon appears as though it is made of tiny squares of color I know it is) but this icon is jagged and very noticable whereas other icons are sharp and well efined..  It is as though this icon is made of much larger squares or pixels..   If you can figure out a way of putting a picture on this site (other than putting it on a host site) I will post it..  Thanks for you interest..  Oh ya..latest video driver was installed...

mombodog · Answer

Upload the image to this site, then click on the image to get the full size version, then copy/paste the image from there to the message body here.

http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/

Message Edited by mombodog on 12-30-2007 01:22 PM

STGCMTED · Answer

If you can see the picture attached, one icon is of very poor quality and the other is well defined.. this picture was captured from my desktop....The MSN icon is sharp and concise on all of my other computers... hope the picture works..

mombodog · Answer

You have to upload the pictures to a image hosting site, then do a copy paste from that website to the body of you message here.   http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/ after you upload, click the image to get the full size, then copy paste.   You cannot copy images from your PC to this forum or any other, won't work.   Don't copy huge images, resize them before uploading.

STGCMTED · Answer

apparently the picture didn't work.. I tried to cut / paste both the image and the url with no luck...

STGCMTED · Answer

I know it is small, but I think you can see what I mean...

STGCMTED · Answer

problem solved.. Vista DPI setting was incorrect.. Thanks for inputs.. I have learned a lot from them..

Windows General

Factory Restore Question..

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