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PC restore for Dell Inspiron?
My Dell laptop (with XP) was stolen. After it was recovered it had Windows Vista on it. I went to Dell for a factory installed download, but it didnt recognize my PC. I cant get my factory settings. The service tag still shows the same. I am doing it manually. I backed everything up and cant get past <ctrl> F11. I dont see a system restore. Any ideas?
1 Answer
- Harrison HLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
Whoeveer stole it blew out the recovery partition when they installed vista so you won't be able to do a "factory restore". You will have to manually reinstall windows if you want XP back. (I'll bet the thieves put an illegal copy of vista on your machine).
If you do not have your original disks dell will still send you windows for free, even if you are past your warranty, but you have to pay shipping and handling, which is fair. Chances are they will not have the drivers disk anymore, they keep them only one year, but you can get them free from support.dell.com
Ask for the burning software and dvd decoding software at the same time, so you pay fedex only once. Dell can NOT give you copies of "royalty" software such as your antivirus or MS Office.
When you install windows install off the F12 ONE TIME BOOT MENU, NOT by just running the dvd.
When you install your drivers it will be IN THIS ORDER
notebook system software
reboot
intel (or amd) chipset
reboot
your video solution
reboot
nic, wifi, sound
you do not need to install dvd, hd or modem, I skip them
reboot once at the end
install your windows updates to XP SP3
install antivirs and your cd/dvd software
good luck!
