Hi Feu Ardent,

I would suggest that you back up the data, including the D drive, onto an external drive before reinstalling the operating system.

I would recommend a clean re-install using the Windows disc which means formatting the hard drive deleting all the existing partitions. This would ensure removal of any bad sectors on the hard drive.

Once you have the data backed up, you can re-install the Windows using the Windows disc shipped with the system. Please open the following link and select the operating system installed on your system for the steps:

http://dell.to/j6ImBB

After re installing the windows, drivers have to be re-installed in the following order:

1. Notebook System Software (NSS).
2. Chipset Drivers.
3. Video Adapter Drivers.
4. Network Interface Card (NIC) Drivers.
5. Audio Adapter Drivers.
6. Wireless Network Card Drivers.
7. Touchpad Drivers.

For detailed instructions on reinstalling the drivers, please visit the following link:

http://dell.to/QJk5Cq

After installing the drivers, you will have to re-install the software applications.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I will be glad to help.

Hi, and thank you for the prompt reply :)

How can I back up the data on an external drive ? Do I have to go find a special repair shop or something ?

Also, I can't remember where I put my disc, which is a problem ... :/

I'll have to look for the discs I guess as well as to do whatever you tell me to do for the data back up ^^ And let's hope it works in the end ^^

You can get the data backed up at a local computer repair shop. They have the tools to back up the data even if the system is not booting.

Once the data has been backed up, you can restore the system back to factory settings using Dell PC Restore. PC restore would only work if the hard drive has not been formatted earlier and the recovery partition on the hard drive is intact. This would take the system back to the state when you received it from the factory and you would not have to re-install the drivers and factory installed software. If you need the steps for performing PC restore, please let me know which operating system is installed on your system.

If the option for PC restore is not available, then operating system has to be re-installed using the discs. I have sent you a private message as well. If you are not able to find the discs, reply with the Service Tag of your system. I will check the records and help you further.

First try last good known configuration.

Next try a StartUp Repair. You will need a Windows Vista/7 DVD for this (depending on your OS). If you don't have media use a retail .iso here.

Power down your computer. Hold F12 while powering up your computer (at the Dell BIOs screen).

Select boot from CD/DVD or from USB respectively.

Press any key when prompted such as "h" when it says Press any Key to boot from CD/DVD.

You will get a black screen that says "Windows is Starting Files" then one that says "Windows is Loading Files." These should disappear pretty quickly. Next one that says Starting Windows

You will then be prompted for your language, time and currency format and keyboard settings. Mine are all set to U.K. as shown below, amend for your preference.

Select Repair Your Computer.

The setup will then search for Windows installations

It will then find an installation

Likely it will be the C: partition. Click the partition and click next.

Select Startup Repair.

The Startup Repair should run and hopefully fix the problem.

If that fails then try A Clean Install of Windows 7.

Start on Step 3, ignore Step 7.

In Step 8 when you get to this screen, select the C: partition (largest partition).

Note: if you have not backed up all your data onto an external hard drive. Do not select any of the drive options particularly format or delete. In this scenario all your files will be saved in a folder called windows.old.

Don't select the drive options and in particular don't select delete or format. Follow step 15 to copy your data back over.

Finally regardless what method you done to repair your Windows. Purchase an external hard drive and copy all your data to it, back up regularly. Also use an online service such as SkyDrive for Windows or Dropbox.

Hi everyone :) I' ve finally managed to reset the computer to factory state, so it now works ; all files have been backed up so I can now get back to work and finish my graphics. However, I have forgotten to preserve the Music file from my Documents, in which all the CD's  I had imported into iTunes had been saved. When I reset the computer, it created a Backup " application"  which now lies in my D:/ drive, in which all of my documents are said to be. However, I was wondering what exactly would happen if I ran the backup application ?

Thanks in advance for your replies,

FA

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