Windows 7: How To Factory Restore A Dell Inspiron 620?

TheSnook · 13 Jan 2012

Hi,

I've recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 620 for my mum and dad and in the past when the system is running slow or encounters problems I back up everything on to an external hard drive and run a factory restore for them. However i'm struggling to establish how to run a factory restore on the new computer? I've pressed F8 when the machine boots up and selected 'Repair your computer' but the only recovery options I have are shown in the image below:

Looking at the 'Disk Management' page I can see a partition called 'RECOVERY' so i'm assuming that I can do a factory restore? One thing that is concerning me though is that Dell have provided a Windows 7 DVD and Drivers and Utilities DVD so i'm worried that i'm expected to reformat the hard drive and install from scratch?

Thanks in advance,

Snook

linnemeyerhere · 13 Jan 2012

TheSnook,
It's very good news that you have those disks. I believe you are headed towards a clean install of the OS, drivers and all software which will include a complete format of the OS target drive. Time consuming yes but it can give you that better then new performance when things get gummed up with trojans, viruses and such.

TheSnook · 13 Jan 2012

Thanks linnemeyerhere. Is a factory restore not an option then? If not, what is the purpose of the partition called 'Recovery'? Technically I'm not too bad on computers but i'm not sure i'm confident enough to attempt a reformat and re-install from scratch!?!?

Regards,

Snook

linnemeyerhere · 13 Jan 2012

Snook,
Let me ask you this, what about the computer has you even wanting to do a factory restore?

linnemeyerhere · 13 Jan 2012

Snook,
Check this out, seems like a manual and the trouble shoot guide will be a big help.
How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft Windows on a Dell Computer | Dell

gregrocker · 13 Jan 2012

It's not a good idea to rely on Factory Recovery to reinstall the OS when you tire of its performance. Instead save that in case Windows 7 ever becomes irreparable.

For less urgent performance issues, get to know the Windows 7 System resources, logs, tests and fixes so you can monitor and heal problems yourself: troubleshooting steps

Many performance issues can be solved by Cleaning up factory bloatware to enjoy Windows 7's native feather-light, instantaneous performance.

Most tech enthusiasts clean reinstall just the OS using the Product Key on COA sticker, which Dells makes easier by being one of the few who provide a Reinstallation DVD: Reinstalling Windows 7

Once you've done this then the modern way to Reinstall or Recover if Windows 7 if it really needs it is to use the built-in drive imaging to reimage the HD from a stored backup image in 20 minutes: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
System Image Recovery

TheSnook · 14 Jan 2012

Hi,

I appreciate a factory restore is probably overkill as a solution for the problems I experience but when I visit my parents to deal with any IT problems I rarely stay for longer than a day so the speed and knowledge requirements a factory restore offers suit my needs. They only use the computer for the internet and word/excel so a quick restore and re-install of the broadband and Office is all that is required.

With regard to the lack of a factory restore option on the image above could it be because it is looking at the D:? I would have thought that the factory restore would be stored on the C:? If so, how would I go about changing this?

Thanks,

Snook

gregrocker · 14 Jan 2012

Are you following these steps to restore? Dell Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings
They are different depending upon the model and it's age.

You may need this: Dell Recovery Partition - restoring F8 link

If still possible I would make the Recovery Disks or order them from Dell Tech Support to have a backup method in case Factory Recovery won't run from boot.

TheSnook · 14 Jan 2012

Yeah I've followed the instructions on 'Dell Restoring Your Computer's Software To The Factory Settings' but the final step makes reference to an option called 'Dell Factory Image Recovery and Datasafe Options'. It's supposed to be on the screen shown in the image above but for some reason I don't have it?

Thanks for the link regarding the Dell Recovery Partition I think it may contain the solution to my problem but i'm going to have to read it a couple of times because i'm finding it quite confusing.

gregrocker · 14 Jan 2012

I would skip installing the huge WAIK and use the solution SIW2 posted in the thread here: Restoring Vista to a Windows 7 laptop

See if that can restore the Recovery Partition to the F8 menu.

If not you can try marking Recovery Partition Active, then rebooting to see if it starts on its own or via F8. Check first in Disk Mgmt which partition is marked Active now so you can change it back using DVD or System Repair Disk Command line: Partition - Mark as Active

Make a Windows 7 backup image and back up your files first.

If necessary you can run Factory Recovery from Disks to reinstall the F8 link. You can order Recovery Disks from Dell to do this and also have a secondary backup.

Windows 7: How To Factory Restore A Dell Inspiron 620?

How To Factory Restore A Dell Inspiron 620? problems?