'Repair your computer' option boots into Windows regular mode

linnemeyerhere · 19 Oct 2013

You'll only need your product key and then visit Dell for the drivers and any other misc and the rig will be a clean running machine ! May not want to sell it then.......?

gregrocker · 20 Oct 2013

There are many reasons the F8 link to System Recovery Options gets broken. With Dell you can restore it this way: Dell Recovery Partition - restoring F8 link

With Dell you can also manually Boot Recovery Partition using EasyBCD which will recover to factory settings including F8 link.

Otherwise everything you need is here to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

rkay · 20 Oct 2013

Sorry, my problem is, this laptop doesn't have a coa sticker anywhere. It's all faded. So, I don't have a serial number.

linnemeyerhere · 20 Oct 2013

Here you go:

Product Key Number for Windows 7 - Find and See

rkay · 20 Oct 2013

Thanks everyone. I ended up using Magical Jelly Key Finder to get the key. I had a Windows 7 Home Prem. DVD for Refurbished computers, used it to install Windows. Everything works great now.

Really appreciate everyone's suggestions. Great site. Thanks again

linnemeyerhere · 20 Oct 2013

Perfect !