System restore?

Question

My computer has a lot of junk on it, so I want to perform a system restore on it. I've tried the 'ctrl+F11' method, but that doesn't seem to work for my computer. Are there any other ways of performing a system restore?

mombodog · Answer

Please post your model of Dell and OS version, so others can help you.

adaline · Answer

I'm not quite sure where to find that.. and whats OS? Sorry, not very computer savy :P

adaline · Answer

Yeah. I've been having a few problems. One is where the option to adjust contrast comes up randomly. And I've downloaded and installed so many things, it's just time to clear it all away. I've already got what I needed backed up on my flash drive, I just need to figure out how to clear my computer. I also don't have ANY of the original discs the computer came with. I want to restore it to factory default (I'm not sure if thats how to refer to how you originally got it. lol)

Message Edited by adaline on 11-16-2007 04:26 PM

mombodog · Answer

What you want to do is called a clean install of XP.   what you need to do.   1. Do an inventory of the hardware you have installed in that 2400. Use device manager to find out what Video, Audio, Network, Modem(dial up) adapters you have. Document this info, you will need it later.   2. Request a set of backup CD's from Dell Here   3. You will not be able to restore it exactly like it was from Dell, you will lose some of the pre-installed Dell software, no way to get it again.   Clean install instructions Here The only thing I will add to these instructions is when you get to the part in setup where it finds your drives and partitions, is to delete the C partition and then re-create a new C partition to install XP on, this will get you the clean install you want.   Here is what is will look like, this is what you need to delete, then create a new partition C in the unpartitioned space that is generated when you delete C. You may have more than 1 partition, leave the others alone.

adaline · Answer

Is this what you need? Dell Dimension 2400 OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, build 2600)

mombodog · Answer

Yep, thats it.   You don't have the ctrl F11 feature on that model, but you do have system restore in XP Home, but it really is not for doing what you want.   I am not real sure what you want to do, are you having problems?

adaline · Answer

I *think* I may have the disc already.

It's a purple disc that says on it:

OPERATING SYSTEM
ALREADY INSTALLED ON YOUR COMPUTER
Reinstallation CD
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Service Pack 2

I think this is the disc you are talking about. I ordered it recently, thinking it was a system restore disc.

mombodog · Answer

'OPERATING SYSTEM ALREADY INSTALLED ON YOUR COMPUTER Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2'     Thats is what you need to install the OS, but you still need to download the correct drivers ahead of time.   After installing XP, go to device manager and see if there are any missing drivers, install as needed.   The 2400 may not need any additional drivers installed, but check device manager to be sure.

adaline · Answer

Wow I'm already really confused. And in the tutorial (the one made by Paul Thurrott) you sent me, it says it requires me to have a product key. I don't have one of those.

[EDIT]

I found out my problem.
It's not booting the disc.

I have it inserted, but when I restart my computer, it just loads up like it normally does.

Message Edited by adaline on 11-16-2007 06:22 PM

mombodog · Answer

'it says it requires me to have a product key. I don't have one of those.'   Disregard, if it is a Dell Cd you will not need a key.   With the CD in the drive, restart the PC, start tapping F12 at the Dell logo screen to get the boot menu, select cdrom and hit enter, wait for the confirmation message 'press any key to boot from CD' when you see this hit enter again, setup should start.

adaline · Answer

Maybe they sent me the wrong disc, cause it's not reading the disc when I do what you told me to.

jfbowles · Answer

I can't connect to the internet therefore system restore will not work ???   Is there a way to use system restore without being connected to the internet.

onemoretry · Answer

mombodog : I have a Dimension 2400 and Support.Dell.com  tells me that my model and # specifically has the CNTRL F11 thing. I haven't tried it (I will), but that's what it tells me.   adaline It's the right disc. I have the purple one too.  It took me all day to figure out how to make the computer even act like I put a disc in there when I turned on the computer.  Here's what you do. Tap F2 at DELL splash screen.  If you get the Windows xp screen it's too late, restart and try again.  F2, will give you a list. Pick 'Boot sequence.'  Flip 1 with 2.  should work now. Now, read this if you really want to try reinstalling without the CD key.   http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx   Someone said you don't need a CD key. I can't tell you if it's true or not as I haven't yet tried to reinstall on my Dell (I have a gateway and i needed the cdkey for that). I'm first going to try the CTRL F11thing support.Dell.com tells me about.

mombodog · Answer

I have installed 100's of Dell PC's, you do not need the key if you use a Dell reinstalltion CD.   Here are directions for PC restore by Symantec (ctrl + F11)   http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?journalid=400901136A17F4CCE040A68F2728410D&docid=181316

onemoretry · Answer

One reason why I don't want to try the Boot From CD reinstall method is that I don't have the CD Key either.  I thought I lost it.  Maybe my computer never came with one. I don't know.

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