restore inspiron 1501 vista laptop

Press F8, and select Repair your computer

Go Next

select your username and type your password (if you have one)

then you should have an option Dell Factory Image Restore, click on it, and then you'll get the steps..

captain321,

 

Sorry, but I posted incorrect information. Go with Gio's information.

F8 is the correct optioni to go to the PCRestore, is not present if it was a Upgrade from XP to Vista.

And also remember that some systems where missing the option, not sure why...

So if Vista was factory installed, F8 should work, if not, the options to boot from DVD will work fine.

 

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?journalid=5C2AB22020DF11DCB0509124F302D256&docid=28C0548D825EB65DE040A68F5B2865A8

Hi captin321

You have Vista on the Insprion 1501 this what you have to do

to get it back to the day it was new you have to press F12

with the DVD in the drive then do this.

 

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&l=en&s=gen&docid=298A2E89689E13C2E040A68F5B280AA4&cs

 

That is what it takes to get my Insprion 1501 fixed .

If i just press F 8 it only takes it to where you can go into safe mode with Vista.

Not to the Dell PC Recovery F12 @ boot.

Good Luck

Hi Bill

There must be something wrong with my PC then if i use F8 then go to the next screen it shows 

the options of one is safe mode with all of its options with safe mode .

But @ the top of the page it does show Repair My Computer when i select that it just goes to Vista

and the way it is setup now it does No repairs and no other screens.

And this is with the drive in it that came from Dell .

So what is wrong with my Insprion 1501 in this case if it does not work the way you say it should.

Or does the DVD have to be in the drive to get this to work.

O well the DVD was in the drive still did not work.

So these posts might help me to .

Thanks

Jerry,

 

The Windows Advanced Options Menu is accessed via F8 at boot. It does not automatically take you to safe mode. One of the options listed on factory Vista installs is Repair My Computer. That is what he is referring to. You can get to the same option (basically we're talking about Dell PCRestore) by booting to the Vista DVD and WinRE, as you stated.

 

Either way works. Your way just works whether the o/s was installed as an upgrade, clean install or factory install.

 

I think the main thing we need to know from the OP is whether this is a factory install, clean install, or upgrade.

Wow. Jerry, that is strange. I guess Gio has seen it before, but  that's news to me.

As other users, you had the same problem, where they cannot use the Repair your computer option, some of them don't even see it, you are able to see it but no to use it, even wierd...

In that kind of cases, the link you posted is the better option.

 

Hi Bill this what i have when i use F8

                                      Advance boot options
choose advance boot options for: windows Vista {tm} home basic [recovery]
{use the arrow keys to highlight your choice}
Repair your Computer {this does not do any thing but boots to windows}
safe mode
safe mode with networking
safe mode with command prompt
enable boot login
enable low-resolution video {640x480
last known good configuration {advanced}
directory services restore mode
debugging mode
disable automatic restart on system failure
disable driver signature enfocement
Start windows normally

Description: view a list of system recovery tools you can use to repair
startup problems,run diagnostics,or restore your system.  

 

How does this get me back to the way it came for day one from Dell  

PCRecovery to d:\recovery to day one without using F12 and the DVD.

Thanks

Hi Bill

It does seem like i or Dell has a problem with that and when my PC is restored to day one it will not let the burning software work it says the {trial}i can,t remember what the term was there has expired and will not work you have to remove it and reinstall from the CD then you get errors saying some{---} code{s} were not compatible with Vista.

And when i do have to restore to day one after it reboots i have to leave the DVD in the drive and do a repair because windows can not boot it has to write a new master boot record..

Is Dell working on these problems

It sure would be good to have the laptop work after it has to be

Restored to day one with out all of the hassle.

Thanks

 

Bill on the windows not booting after the recovery restart it just goes into a boot loop

that is why i had to leave the DVD in and do a repair on it.

This is the first I have heard of these issues. I am not sure if they are known to us or being worked. I will have to check.

Oh my Goodness

I hope I never have to go through this process.  I also have a Inspirion 1501, and its my first laptop, not first PC (I have 3, plus one that has a 32" screen I must be blind).  If I had to go through this process, would I have to use the cd's that came with the hardware that says they are already installed, I didn't need to even open them.  I didn't even get any operating manuels or anything, just a warranty book.  I figured everything I need to know is already installed in the help section.   I am correct?

Hi

You may not have to do all of this if your PC came with Vista installed from Dell

it seems like it is hit and miss on this .:smileysurprised:

but i have talked to 3 or 4 other people that did have to use the burning software CD

to reinstall the burning software in order for it to work:smileysad:

It looks like all of the drivers and other software installs without problems.

In my case i do have the other problems as well . 

Like they say your mileage may very .

Mine did come from Dell with Vista installed on it Vista had some kind of melt down and i had to restore it to day one that is how i found all of these problems so be ready for this it may or may not do the same on your PC but who knows until it happens.

lets hope you do not have these problems:smileyhappy:

See Yea.