I'm assuming by "I tried a system restore to factory settings", you mean that you attempted to use PC Restore to reset your hard drive image by pressing ctrl-F11 during boot. If this is not what you have done, try it. It will reset your system configuration to out-of-the-box status. If this is indeed what you have already tried, you'll probably need to reformat your computer and reinstall windows from the installation CD/DVD if you have one. Which is doubtful if your computer is fairly new.

racbau1,

1. Setup BIOS to boot from CD drive.
2. Insert XP CD and reboot.
3. Select Repair, Recovery Console by pressing R.
4. At the system prompt, type fixmbr, press Enter.
5. Remove the CD
6. Type exit to exit the console and restart the computer.
7. Perform Dell PC Restore.

If Dell System Restore fails, try to fix it using Dan Goodell's method
at: http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/fixes.htm

If you can't fix the DSR, reinstall Windows with Reinstallation CD.
Here's a good reference: http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm#Install

Hope this helps and saves you $99.00

Edited to acknowledge that my post is redundant.

Message Edited by sparkenh on 03-23-2006 11:12 PM