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can I restore f11 key


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#1
MFrances

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Can I restore the use of the f11 key for my dimension 4600 xp home edition if I reinstall operating system a while ago. Plus the user's guide and software guide on help and support for dell dimension 4600
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#2
pip22

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If you use the 'recovery' cd that should have been supplied with the computer, then everything should be back the way it was originally.
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#3
MFrances

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Did all that with resource cd but my f11 key doesn't work . If I try to use it, it tell me that I have a keyboard failure......Remember I re-installed windows xp and lost Dell user's and system guide plus software guide that was original on computer... Is there anything that I can do to reinstall this or is it just lost................ NO recovery cd with dimension 4600 just resource cd

Edited by MFrances, 10 April 2006 - 07:33 AM.

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#4
gerryf

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what did the f11 key do (not having a dell myself)
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#5
MFrances

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It allowed me to restore as it was went I received the computer also lost dell user's and system guide plus software guide.... went to Dell site and can't recover these files
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#6
gerryf

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ok....so....can I assume that you pressed the f11 key during boot up to restore to system factory settings. And then it went into a mostly text based installation routine?

If so, the answer is likely no. The f11 key was accessing a hidden partition with a specially created master boot record. When you reinstalled windows, you wiped out that master boot record (though the hidden partition may still be present).

To recreate that, you would need to re-image the drive. Dell may have a restoration cd that can do it, but re-creating that mbr without Dell's help---I just cannot see you being able to do that.

If you could find another dimension 4600, you could possible copy the MBR to your machine, but whether or not it will work is up in the air. If you wiped out the hidden paritition, it definitely will not. If you did not, it might work...

One such mbr copy tool can be found here:

http://mirror.href.c...sRefs.htm#PQMBR
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#7
MFrances

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Thank you for your help Have a great day
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#8
mcpscomp

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Acronis Will Give You this option if I 'm not mistaken. Have never use this option but I know what you can do with it is it will take a part of your HD and hide it and windows won't see and can't access. you can use this part for hiden storage or have a HD image or both stored there. After doing all that you will have the option that hit F11 on boot in case your computer won't boot to windows or you turn that part of HD on/off for windows to see and access.
Hope this help.
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#9
gerryf

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hmm, neat...they added that to Version 9?

Cool. I was going to wait until v10 to upgrade because v9 does not support my sata controller, but that is a nice feature that I was unaware was added
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#10
mcpscomp

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The only problem when I use Acronis is onece in awhile it fails me if I use it to back up lage amount of data through USB1.
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