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December 22nd, 2009 13:00
reinstallation CD/Restoring factory settings
My 8300 is so slow, so mesed up that I'm wanting to go back in time to factory settings. PC restore had no points to restore that were older than 1 month. My 8300 won't let me use "Cntrl F11". Is it that delicate a manuever ? All I get is a bellringing and "Keyboard failure". Maybe mine is just too far gone.
I can't back up My Documents using the RW drive that came on my 8300 because it no longer thinks it is RW. All it thinks it is, is a regular CD. I finally figured out that I couod "back up" using a flash drive. So I'm ready to "restore factory settings' manually. But have doubts. My factory manual says during this manual restore- "When the press any key to boot from CD" message appears, press any key. However, reading the same instructinos online on Dell support site, it says "Note, if the message press any key to boot from CD" appears, do not strike a key. Any ideas which I should do ?
Is it really necessary to unplug everythign from the computer before "launching the restore". Can I turn off my printer and upplug it at the printer itself ? The website says somewhere to disble virus protection before the "restore". My manual doesn't mention it. I use McAfee. If I'm gona' wipe out everythign anyway w/ this restore, could I just uninstall it ? Another clitch. When I uninstall a program it still shows up on the "Installed programs" list. It's really "gone" but still shows up as if it were there. Another reason I wanted to restore it to factory condition.
Thanks for listening. Sorry I'm so long winded. CAn't get a soul on Dell's phone lines or chat rooms.merry Christmas from Alaska.
jims
mombodog
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12.7K Posts
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December 22nd, 2009 14:00
Sometimes you have to hit F11 many times while holding the ctrl key down. Do this when you see the Dell logo at boot time.
Not all Dimensions had this factory restore feature.
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apkobl
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109 Posts
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December 22nd, 2009 15:00
Before you restore, be sure that you uninstalled-deactive any programs, which limit reinstallation, or perhaps, like some Adobe programs, require de-activation. If you use microsoft office outlook, be sure to check and write down your email setups, so you know how to reinstall it, because you will have to. Be sure you know what you need to reinstall any program and make them work for you. License numbers, product keys, software, etc. Be ready for the reinstall for all programs.
When the computer boots (while the screen is still black and white), look in the right upper corner, and you should have a message to hit F2 for bios (for example) or F?? for boot menu. Select the boot menu where you should be able to select a system restore. The boot from CD option is there for the purpose of restoring from a CD, if you were to select to restore from a CD, you would need to hit any key to verify that you want to boot from the CD instead of from the hard drive. When you do the reinstall, if you have the option, do a full format, not a quick format of the hard drive. It will take much longer, but you need to do this.
Don't worry about McAfee. I would unplug any extra items connected to the computer, like a printer, scanner or usb hub and not plug it back in until after Windows is finished with all it reininstall and initial updates. Then plug in one item at the time so you don't "confuse" yourself and windows, when windows is looking for a driver. You may want to install the printer the software first and then plug it in when the program requests it.
Merry Christmas,
jsummers72
3 Posts
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December 22nd, 2009 16:00
Thanks to apkobl, jackshack & mombodog.
Great advise. Keep your fingers crossed. With your help, here I go.
Regards from the Last Frontier