[ginrella]

Hello,

I was wondering if you might be able to help me. I need to do a complete system restore on my Dell 2350, back to manufacturer specs. I cannot find my restore disk. Is there anyway I can do this without the disk?

Thank You,
Ginny

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Some Dell systems have a built-in 'Recovery Partition." If yours does, it will be accessible from the very first screen after power-on. (The one with the big Dell logo).

During this screen, press CTL+ F11 keys to begin the Recovery process.

If your system does not have such a partition, Dell will provide you with a replacement "Recovery disc" with very little hassle and a small charge.

Ed Bott explains: http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1680

Here is a direct link to the Dell support page he mentions: https://support.dell.....ackupcd_form

Using the disc you get from Dell will restore your computer to better than factory settings, because Dell updates the drivers included in the CD.

Fill out the form, and they will respond by e-mail. You will need to include your computer's Dell Service Tag. If you can't find it (it should be on a sticker somewhere on the case) use free Belarc Advisor to display it: http://www.belarc.co...e_download.html

Good luck, and do keep us informed about your process. I am sure that your experience will help others in the future.

Edited by 1101doc, 23 February 2009 - 07:39 AM.

[1101doc]

Some Dell systems have a built-in 'Recovery Partition." If yours does, it will be accessible from the very first screen after power-on. (The one with the big Dell logo).

During this screen, press CTL+ F11 keys to begin the Recovery process.

If your system does not have such a partition, Dell will provide you with a replacement "Recovery disc" with very little hassle and a small charge.

Ed Bott explains: http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1680

Here is a direct link to the Dell support page he mentions: https://support.dell.....ackupcd_form

Using the disc you get from Dell will restore your computer to better than factory settings, because Dell updates the drivers included in the CD.

Fill out the form, and they will respond by e-mail. You will need to include your computer's Dell Service Tag. If you can't find it (it should be on a sticker somewhere on the case) use free Belarc Advisor to display it: http://www.belarc.co...e_download.html

Good luck, and do keep us informed about your process. I am sure that your experience will help others in the future.

Edited by 1101doc, 23 February 2009 - 07:39 AM.

[Broni]

Ctrl+F11, if I may...

[anzenketh]

Using the disc you get from Dell will restore your computer to better than factory settings, because Dell updates the drivers included in the CD.

If I may jump in. If you use the operating system disks from your dell system it will restore it to before factory settings. You will have to install the drivers. Including the network driver. You may also have a issue with some of the factory installed software as it will not be included if you install from the disks.

[ginrella]

Thank you both so much. We are all set. We were able to go in and completely clean out the hard drive, which was ultimately what we were trying to accomplish.

Thanks so much for all the help. Geeks to go is always an incredible, reliable source.

Thanks
Ginny

[1101doc]

Thanks, Broni- edited.

[Broni]