PC Restore Ctrl F11 does not work

Question

Hi!

I am going to do a reinstall of my computer OS because for some reason, my Windows Updates stalls and will not install. I think it is because I had used some free anti-spyware (spy catcher) and it quarantined good files and I deleted them. So, over the months, I noticed some system degradation. I think the best thing would be to place my computer back to its original install condition.
So today, I tried to do the PC restore and I hit CTRL F11 at startup and nothing happened. Windows booted up normally. Now, I tried several times the combo of Ctrl and F11 at the Dell startup screen. Nothing happened and Windows booted up normally. Is there any other method or key stroke that Ic an use to get PC restore window to come on? My ciomputer is the Dell 9300 which I got in January 06

Thanks,
Bob

Denny Denham · Answer

stinkingbob, Timing is crucial for PC Restore. See the instructions here.

ssss1234 · Answer

hi. are you sure you select the pc restore option when you purchase the computer? if do, just press Ctrl+F11 at the same time then you will see the dialog. By the way, if you repartition your d drive b4, then the pc restore will disappear.   Hope this help.

stinkingbob · Answer

I have not repartitioned my hard drive in any way.
And, I tried the ctrl F11 like 5 times again tonight and it did not work.
This siw aht I did:
I turned on the computer
At the dell logo, I pressed down on the ctlr button and while keeping it pressed, I hit the F11 button, then I released them at the same time.
Nothing ahappens. COmputers loads up as usual.

Basically, the time frame is really qucik to do this. The dell logo comes up, then the F8 and F2 messages appear in the right top corner of the screen, then the "Loading PR2..." message comes up and windows loads up.
I have made the button presses(ctrl + F11) right when the dell logo shows up (which is like 2 seconds after the computer starts). Still cant get PC Restore to come up.

Is there any other button presses I can make to access system restore that nayone can think of?

Thanks
Bob

ssss1234 · Answer

sorry to inform you that this is the only way to do it. after the dell logo shown, if on the top right hand side should show Ctrl +F11 besides F2 and F8. i worry that you don't have pc restore on your computer. i recommend you call to dell and require them to check whether your pc got pc restore or not.

Hope this help.

dg1261 · Answer

Troubleshooting steps:   (1) Are you sure you have a DSR (PC Restore) partition?  When you boot into XP, take a look in Disk Management and look at the schematic 'map' in the right pane.  If you see an 'unknown' partition about 3-5 GB at the end of the disk with no drive letter, that suggests your DSR partition is still there.   (2) Do you have a Dell MBR?  This is easily overwritten, so even if your system shipped with the Dell MBR, it might not necessarily still have it.  The telltale sign of the Dell MBR is a black screen with a single blue line at the top, with 'www.dell.com' in white-on-blue letters.  This screen should appear for 2 seconds between the POST phase (Power-On Self Test, with the giant blue Dell logo) and the XP splash screen (when XP starts to boot).   If the answer is yes to both, then make sure you're pressing Ctrl+F11 at the right time.  When the POST phase starts, you'll see the blue Dell logo, there will be a brief delay, then the 'F2' and 'F12' prompts will appear in the corner of the screen.  After POST completes, you'll see the 2-second blue-line.  You must press Ctrl+F11 after the F2/F12 prompts appear, and before the end of the 2-second blue-line pause.  Hold down the Ctrl key, press down the F11 key, then release both keys together.

stinkingbob · Answer

First off, if anyone works for Dell in this forum and has the ability to change the text of a knowledge base documents, please change the one in reference to starting up PC Restore. In the KB document, the user will assume based on the wording that after they power up their computer and when they see the DELL logo, they are to press ctrl + F11. This is incorrect and this is why I could never get PC restore to come up.
So, for those who were in the same situation as me, this is what to do:

When you power up your computer, you will see the Dell Logo in the middle of the screen in somewhat big letters. You may see in the upper right corner F8 or F2.
THen the screen changes and now, in the very top line of the screen in blue, you will see : www.dell.com
This is the moment you must press ctrl + F11
THe PC Restore screen will then come on. If you were pressing ctl + F11 anytime before you saw the blue line with www.dell.com, it will not work. This is what I was doing. And unfortunately, the KB document dows not make this clear.
So, now you all know and hopefully someone who works with Dell that visits this forum will make the appropriate changes so others won't have to go through the hassle I went through.
Thanks!
Bob

Denny Denham · Answer

stinkingbob,

So, now you all know and hopefully someone who works with Dell that visits this forum will make the appropriate changes so others won't have to go through the hassle I went through.

Highly unlikely but it's nice to hear that you beat the problem and thanks for the feedback.

shesagordie · Answer

Post Dated 6.14.2006 about the same problem. http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_harddrive&message.id=113940 Bev.

dg1261 · Answer

'if anyone works for Dell in this forum and has the ability to change the text of a knowledge base documents, please change the one in reference to starting up PC Restore.' I remember the first time I read that document.  It was evident to me that it was written by someone who did not understand how hardware works.  In addition to the misleading information about timing that you highlight, there is this altogether incorrect information: 'NOTE: Press the keys one time only. If you press them more than once, a keyboard error occurs...' Pressing the keys multiple times cannot possibly generate a keyboard error.  A keyboard error is when the keyboard doesn't work right.  The program may or may not like multiple key entries, but if you type the keys and the keyboard dutifully records them, that is not a keyboard error. What does generate a keyboard error is pressing a key too early.  At the beginning of the POST phase (Power-On Self Test) during bootup, the bios first tests the keyboard.  If it sees a key pressed down during the test, it assumes the keyboard isn't operating properly. Furthermore, I've examined the boot code, and it pulls the first entry out of the keyboard buffer and ignores the rest.  IOW, you can press the keys multiple times.     Message Edited by dg1261 on 07-19-200603:31 AM

Windows General

PC Restore Ctrl F11 does not work

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