[carmelladrew]

I have just inherited a dell inspiron e1705. It's in great condition...physically...however, everything else is in horrible condition. I want to wipe everything off and put it back on, but I don't have any of the back up disks. I have a dell inspiron 1525 also and have all my disks...would it be possible to use my disks for my 1525? it runs on vista, so i'm not sure. if i can't use my back up disks from the 1525 then what do i do? i know how to get the drivers off the internet, but i have no idea how to wipe the computer clean or how to get the drivers and operating system back on the computer.

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WHY wipe everything, why not just clean it.
If you proceed you will of course lose everything.
ALL personal data, all files and settings and all programs.
Only programs for which you have the install CD can be put back on, except of course any free ones, such as Adobe for example.
The answer to the second part of the question is NO. The operating system on the Dell Inspiron 1525 is if the original Vista installation most certainly a one-use OEM(Original Equipment Manufacturer) Licence.
It will install, but even if it validates, there is every chance that it will later be invalidated by Microsoft with their Microsoft Genuine Advantage tool.
Come back please with your thoughts on this.

[Macboatmaster]

WHY wipe everything, why not just clean it.
If you proceed you will of course lose everything.
ALL personal data, all files and settings and all programs.
Only programs for which you have the install CD can be put back on, except of course any free ones, such as Adobe for example.
The answer to the second part of the question is NO. The operating system on the Dell Inspiron 1525 is if the original Vista installation most certainly a one-use OEM(Original Equipment Manufacturer) Licence.
It will install, but even if it validates, there is every chance that it will later be invalidated by Microsoft with their Microsoft Genuine Advantage tool.
Come back please with your thoughts on this.

[carmelladrew]

i want to delete everything because nothing on the computer is a friend's...not mine...and my friend messed up the computer a lot...so i want to start from scratch

[123Runner]

You would have to try purchasing the recovery disks from Dell that are specific to that laptop OR purchase a separate fully installable OS.

[Dwight]

Edit by

Dwight

Edited by Dwight, 14 March 2010 - 09:44 AM.

[Macboatmaster]

If you still wish to proceed the Dell E1705 shipped with a recovery partition.
Providing that has not been deleted or corrupted by a virus.
Boot and press and HOLD the Ctrl key and THEN PRESS F11.
If it has the recovery partition it will activate and reload, as it was when Dell shipped it.
However 123Runner and Dwight have already given you the alternatives answers.

[123Runner]

Macboatmaster Good catch....I forgot about the recovery partition.

Lets look at the drives and see if there is something that might be a recovery partition.

Lets take a look at the drives and partitions.

Go to start
Go to run
Type in compmgmt.msc
Click on OK
On the left side under storage...click on disk management.
Make sure the right side showing the drives is expanded so we can see it all.
Take a screen shot showing the drives and partitions.

Attach it to your reply.

To do a screenshot please click on your Print Screen on your keyboard. It is normally the key above your number pad between the F12 key and the Scroll Lock key
Now go to Start and then to All Programs
Scroll to Accessories and then click on Paint
In the Empty White Area click and hold the CTRL key and then click the V
Go to the File option at the top and click on Save as
Save as file type JPEG and save it to your Desktop

Attach it to your next reply

123runner

[Macboatmaster]

123Runner
His next problem could be that even if the recovery partition is there. Ctrl and F11 might not access it.
If the original Dell ini. files have been altered in anyway F11 will not work.
It can of course still be done, by reactivating F11 on boot.
I still cannot understand why he is going down this route.

[happyrock]

I still cannot understand why he is going down this route.

the first sentence in the first post says it all...
I have just inherited a dell inspiron e1705. It's in great condition...physically...however, everything else is in horrible condition. I want to wipe everything off and put it back on

that in my opinion is the right thing to do...nice clean system...no files from previous users...only install the software you need...

Edited by happyrock, 14 March 2010 - 08:25 AM.

[Macboatmaster]

Happyrock
Hi, only just joined, also work on another tech support site.
I read that, but he does not have any of the program installation discs or an O/s install disc.
I would have thought the best bet was to get rid of what he does not want. Clean up what is left.
Run a Hi.Jack on it and see what is going on, and then go from there.
However, each to his own.

[happyrock]

Dwight in post # 5 steered him to a thread that addressed all the options to try the recovery partition and what to do if it does not work...

[Dwight]

happyrock, I took it off.

Dwight

[happyrock]

its here

[Dwight]

happyrock, Thanks


Dwight