When the Dell screen appears press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard, press the F11 key, then release them both at the same time. The Dell PC Restore by Symantec window appears.
NOTE: Only press the keys one time, if you press them more than once you will receive a keyboard error and will have to start the process over.
Click the Restore button. A caution message appears advising that all data will be lost.
Click the Confirm button. The progress window appears. When the restore is complete the message The system recovery process was successful. appears.
Click the Finish button. The computer will restart.
Your software is now back to the way it was when you first received your computer
I was just in the process of trying to do the same thing when I looked at the Dell Community site & saw your post. My daughter downloaded some type of malware that keeps throwing up ads while we're on the internet. I used to call Dell & have them fix the problem when it happened in the past, but then I figured out how to wipe out and replace the operating system (windows xp sp2 home edition). I have a Dimension 4700, & I am not very computer literate, but trying to learn more. Anyway, I can't remember exactly what I did, I think I hit F12 while it was loading and somehow found an option that allowed me to delete and reinstall xp from the disk I got with the computer. I remember it gave 2 options, where one was not as drastic as the second, but I still had to reinstall updates and my Norton antivirus, and IE7, etc. but verizon dsl was left intact. I cannot remember how I got to that place where it gave me the two options. Do you know what I am talking about? I realize I am a complete idiot, have mercy I'm from Phila. Should I just try the Recovery utility? Will that erase a bug? Any help is really appreciated.
I would suggest you order backup cds for you computer in the future event that your reload should fail or you may purchase a new hard drive. They are free from Dell and all you have to do is fill out this form.
dave51_2fe887
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
1
December 19th, 2008 17:00
Run the Dell PC Restore Utility
Power the computer on.
When the Dell screen appears press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard, press the F11 key, then release them both at the same time.
The Dell PC Restore by Symantec window appears.
NOTE: Only press the keys one time, if you press them more than once you will receive a keyboard error and will have to start the process over.
Click the Restore button.
A caution message appears advising that all data will be lost.
Click the Confirm button.
The progress window appears.
When the restore is complete the message The system recovery process was successful. appears.
Click the Finish button.
The computer will restart.
Your software is now back to the way it was when you first received your computer
cvenango
6 Posts
0
December 19th, 2008 18:00
Hey dave5,
I was just in the process of trying to do the same thing when I looked at the Dell Community site & saw your post. My daughter downloaded some type of malware that keeps throwing up ads while we're on the internet. I used to call Dell & have them fix the problem when it happened in the past, but then I figured out how to wipe out and replace the operating system (windows xp sp2 home edition). I have a Dimension 4700, & I am not very computer literate, but trying to learn more. Anyway, I can't remember exactly what I did, I think I hit F12 while it was loading and somehow found an option that allowed me to delete and reinstall xp from the disk I got with the computer. I remember it gave 2 options, where one was not as drastic as the second, but I still had to reinstall updates and my Norton antivirus, and IE7, etc. but verizon dsl was left intact. I cannot remember how I got to that place where it gave me the two options. Do you know what I am talking about? I realize I am a complete idiot, have mercy I'm from Phila. Should I just try the Recovery utility? Will that erase a bug? Any help is really appreciated.
EAGLESR70
2 Posts
0
December 19th, 2008 18:00
Thanks to those of you who have replied so quickly.
I have already reformated and restored and I am reinstalling my other software and updates now.
The Control-F11 was the answer I needed.
dave51_2fe887
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
December 19th, 2008 18:00
It is a "Repair install" . Place your Dell Windows XP reinstall CD/DVD in drive and reboot.
At the "Dell" screen press F12 and choose "Boot from internal/ USB CD/DVD drive.
Then follow directions at link below. This may not cure your problem but worth a try.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm#RI
The PC Restore will make the computer like the day you got it, but you will have to reinstall everything you added since.
dallascowboyswo
3 Apprentice
•
2.4K Posts
0
December 20th, 2008 00:00
I would suggest you order backup cds for you computer in the future event that your reload should fail or you may purchase a new hard drive. They are free from Dell and all you have to do is fill out this form.