Recovery Partition

[MichaelJoseph]

Hello. Can anyone help me please? I have a Dell XPS L501X Laptop, which has 3 partitions called: OS, Recovery and an unlabaled one, but under status it says its a OEM Partition. I decided to install windows again on the OS partition where the operating system was. i formated it and installed windows. I left the Recovery and OEM partitions as they were. I now regret reinstalling windows again and would like to go back to the way my laptop was when i first received it. Ive had a look around the internet on forums, and come across options to restore via command prompt. i entered command prompt from boot up, and typed c:\dell\image\factory.wim
A message pops up saying: to open this file, windows needs to know what program you want to use to open it. I clicked browse but theres only Notepad there. To be honest, i haven't got a clue what im doing. Can anyone please help me restore my computer back to how it was when i received it using the recovery partition?

 

[gregrocker]

Run factory recovery by pressing the keys given at boot: Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings | Dell

Did you make the Recovery disks when you first set up your computer, or were they supplied by Dell?

 

[MichaelJoseph]

Hi Greg, thanks for your response. I did follow the instructions in that link you provided. I pressed F8 at bootup, selected repair your computer, selected keyboard method, logged on as a administrator. The system recovery options came up specifying my operating system - Windows 7 on (D OS
These options are available:
Startup Repair
System Restore
System Image Recovery
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Command Prompt

There is no option for Dell Factory Image Restore. I dont know if reinstalling windows changed the Master Boot Record, I didn't touch the Recovery Partition. The only disk i received from Dell only has Drivers and Programs on it. Unfortunately, i didn't make a backup disk. There must be a way of getting at it through command prompt or some other method?

 

[gregrocker]

Try pressing Control + F11 to run Recovery on some Dells.

There is a way to mount the .wim to run it. I haven't done this yet but the guy who would know is SIW2.

It may be on bootCD for Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 free edition. Si would know.

 

[MichaelJoseph]

I tryed pressing Control + F11, nothing happened. Do you think that Paragon Backup and Recovery 10 program would help?

 

[whs]

I think you need to keep tapping F8 only after power-on. Here is the procedure I had on file:

· Save all your important files.

· Unplug all the devices and drivers from your CPU (except the keyboard and the mouse), including your printer, camera and memory stick.

· Shut off the computer and then turn it on, or simply restart it.

· As soon as you see the Dell logo at the start keep on hitting the F8 key repeatedly. Do not stop until you see the screen that says "Repair your computer." There will be other options too but chose this option and hit Enter.

· Next you will see a prompt window giving you options to select the keyboard layout select from the drop-down menu "US" and click "OK."

· On the next screen you will be asked to select the user ID and the password of your Windows account. Select your user account, but make sure your user account has administrative functions. Type in your password. If you don't have a password, leave it blank and click "OK."

· Now you will come to a window with multiple options. Choose the one at the bottom that reads, "Dell Factory Image Restore." By clicking "Dell Factory Image Restore" , it will generate an operation that will take about 45 minutes to complete.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Here's the info I have on Dell.

   Information

Here are the recovery instructions from Dell.

1. Reboot, and press Ctrl + F11 at the Dell logo.
2. The Dell™ PC Restore by Symantec screen will come up.
3. Select "Restore" or use the Tab key to highlight it and press Enter.
4. if you wish to continue, click "Confirm", or use the Tab key to highlight it and press Enter.
5. When the utility is finished, click "Finish", or use the Tab key to highlight it and press Enter.

 

[minimeister]

Reboot your computer. When you see the Dell logo screen, press the two-key combination of "Ctrl" and "F11." There is a file called diskmgmt.msc that runs the recovery, but sense you formatted the drive it will not be there.

 

[whs]

I don't know where you guys get F11 from. Here is the official Dell website and it clearly specifies F8.

 

[mjf]

A Disk management screenshot would be useful.

Many recovery partitions allow you to boot them (when they include the boot files).
You can mark the partition active and boot.
A very low risk approach is to use the Hirens 12.0 Boot CD.
At the end of it's menu options is the option to boot directly into a partition.
Disk 1 is the mounted Hirens
Disk 2 is generally your HDD.
Select your recovery partition & boot.
If it doesn't boot no harm will be done and you will know that setting it active won't work either.

I have an Acer & I boot directly into the recovery partition using the Hirens CD.

 

[SIW2]

Yes, It's worth setting the recov partition active - often you can boot straight into the recov program and run it from there.

If not, it should be possible to restore by accessing the .wim file ( often oem's use split wims ).

 

[MichaelJoseph]

Thanks for all responses guys. Heres a picture of my disk management - PicFront - Clipboard01.jpg
I only formatted the OS partition when i reinstalled windows, i left the recovery and oem partition as they were.

When i switch my computer on, the Dell splash screen comes up. It has an F2 option to go to Bios, a F12 option to go to boot options. I've already tryed F8, it takes me to windows recovery with these options
These options are available:
Startup Repair
System Restore
System Image Recovery
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Command Prompt

The Dell restore option isn't there. I've tryed pressing Ctrl + F11 and F11 on it own at bootup, nothing happens, it just contines on starting windows.

 

[gregrocker]

Older Dells use Cntrl F11.

What appears to have happened is that installing Win7 placed the boot files on Recov partition since it was marked Active, but replaced WinRE on F8 with Win7's own Advanced Boot Tools menu from System 32 folder so there is no longer the hotlink added to the Vista F8 boot tools menu to run Recovery partition.

There is a possibility that EasyBCD might see the Recov partition if you install it to Win7. Try to add it on the

Which leaves:

1) ordering or locating the Dell Recovery Disks for your model,

2) mounting the .wim: EasyBCD 2.01 has a WinPE tab on Add New OS which allows you to browse for .wim and mount it,

3) attempt to run Recov partition using Hirens boot disk's ability to boot a bootable partition as Michael suggests - and Recov is already marked System active so should be bootable, or

3) locate a Vista Installation DVD to clean reinstall without the factory bloatware with the Product Key on your COA sticker.

 

[essenbe]

You guys are the experts, but If he assigns a letter to the recovery partition he will be able to open it won't he? I've done that with my dell. You just have to remember to remove the drive letter when finished.

 

[mjf]

I don't recall anyone saying you need to assign a letter to the recovery partition.
In order for the partition to be directly booted it needs a boot sector, bootmgr etc.
The 2 ways of booting it are:
(1) Normal boot process via the MBR which looks for an active partition to boot. So the partition must be made active. Normally it's not since you can only have one active partition on the disk and it's your system partition.
(2) Boot directly into the partition whether it's marked active or not. Hirens boot CD uses a grub4dos boot manager which enables you to boot directly into it.

All assigning a letter will do is let you have a poke inside. Of course do it with caution.