Windows 7: Trying to perform dell factory restore

UnknownScout · 11 Mar 2012

but the dell logo screen goes to fast to press any of the function keys. I have a Dell Studio XPS 7100 desktop and windows 7. I accidentally installed the windows 8 consumer preview over my copy of windows 7. therefore I am performing a dell factory restore. But i can't because the Dell Logo Boot screen doesn't stay long enough and I can't get the the Advanced Boot Options to open. Any help would be VERY appreciated!

pebbly · 11 Mar 2012

Hi UnknownScout, Welcome to the forums ,Here is a link to the manual for your PC Documentation this will explain how to do a factory restore better than I can

pebbly · 11 Mar 2012

Hi UnknownScout, this one is better for you Windows 7 PC Restore | Dell

UnknownScout · 11 Mar 2012

Hi,
Thank you for replying. I have my manual but i can not press F8 because the boot logo goes to fast, is there anyway i can slow it down? or something?

UnknownScout

DavidW7ncus · 11 Mar 2012

As soon as you turn on the PC keep tapping the F8 key (don't wait until you see the Dell logo screen).

You can also try repeatedly tapping the F2 key to enter setup as soon as you turn on the PC.

UnknownScout · 11 Mar 2012

I got to the setup but how does that help me?

pebbly · 11 Mar 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by UnknownScout

I got to the setup but how does that help me?

Press the F8 key UnknownScout not the F2

I think if you press F12 it brings up a 1 time boot menu from there you may be able to reach the hidden patition to instigate the factory restore

UnknownScout · 11 Mar 2012

When i tap the F8 key when the Computer is starting up nothing ever comes up it just boots to windows 8.

seavixen32 · 11 Mar 2012

If you installed Windows 8 over Windows 7, the chances are you have wiped the Dell recovery partition.

Without that or a set of Dell recovery discs you won't be able to recover your system.

You have two choices as I see it:

Create your own Windows 7 DVD and install that using the product key on your COA sticker.
Contact Dell and ask them for a set of recovery discs. If you tell them your recovery partition is corrupted they'll most likely send you a set without charge.

Clean Install : Factory COA Activation Key

gregrocker · 11 Mar 2012

The reason for no F8 menu is because you overwrote the WinRe file in Windows 7 which provides the System Recovery Options which is where the Dell Recovery hotkey was rooted.

Without the Dell Recovery disks your options now are to Clean Reinstall Windows 7 Factory OEM or to order the Recovery Disks from Dell. However on many models they only provide a Windows 7 REinstallation DVD so you might as well use the DVD in the blue link and get the same clean reinstall now - if you didn't make Recovery Disks.

Once you reinstall Windows 7 you might be able to recreate the link to Dell Recovery Partition - restoring F8 link. So for that reason you might want to save Recovery Partition as well as the Dell Tools partition if it will run from its hotkey which is normally separate from F8.

Windows 7: Trying to perform dell factory restore

Trying to perform dell factory restore problems?