How to restore Dell Inspiron 1525 to Original Factory Settings ??

Question

Im looking at restoring my laptop to how it was when I first got it, at the moment its kinda slugish. However every forum I seem to go on tells me to press F8, when my system boots up, to take me to 'Advanced Boot Options', and then  selet 'Repair your Computer'. But the probelem is that isn't there. All I have is : Safe Mode Safe Mode with Networking Safe Mode with Command Prompt Enable Boot Logging Enable low-resolution video (640x480) Last Known Good Configuaration (advanced) Directory Services Restore Mode Debugging Mode Disable automatic restart on system failure Disable Driver Signature Enforcement Start Windows Normally Any ideas what I have to select, and what do I have to do to restore my computer. (Oh and by the way I've got Vista not XP if that makes any difference. Ive also been on the Dell support website, but that also tells me to select 'Repair your computer')

deanbean10 · Answer

You could try directory services mode? But i dont acutally have a 1525 :) i got the 1545 :D

lukebrown1992 · Answer

Yer i tried that, but it just opens in safe mode then :S

Jim Coates · Answer

Factory Image Restore is an image in a hidden partition on the hard drive. If the partition is missing then you won't get a Factory Image Restore option when you do F8. The partition is missing because either the entire hard drive has been reformatted or because the hard drive has been replaced.

BER256 · Answer

So is there anyway to set to factory settings when the hard drive has been reformatted or replaced

ejn63 · Answer

No.  You must do a manual install in those cases.

SteveRSA · Answer

I have the same problem! see you have not had an answer! did you manage to figure it out and if so could you please help me! thanx

Jim Coates · Answer

see you have not had an answer!

The answer was that you won't have the option anymore after the recovery partition has been removed.

In addition, if the computer was an "upgrade" to Vista or was bought through "Express Upgrade" it never would have had the partition at all.

Jim Coates · Answer

See this thread for a link to download 'Boot.DSR.exe' which is a utility to launch the recovery in models with Windows XP  I don't know if it will work for Windows Vista which is what the recovery partition on an Inspiron 1525 will have.

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