[chaldo]

BUT. I don't have my recovery disk. I called Dell and it's out of warranty and they won't send it to me. Could it be located anywhere on the computer? I'm running a Dell Vostro 230, Windows 7 Home. The computer is so plagued with viruses that I just need to wipe it. I already posted logs here, and the folks were friendly and efficient at helping, however, the problems have all returned. I just want to factory wipe the computer. Can anybody help?

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Gday.

You can download a legal ISO to match the windows OS you have instilled,  then burn it to a bootable DVD/USB, but you must have the COA that came with your computer.   Look for a sticker on the back, inside the left panel, inside, on the bottom, under the PSU. Using this method will completely wipe everthing from the computer, including any factory image.

 

There are some alternative, which I have not used, this is one, > http://www.dell.com/...19/SLN114921/EN

[iammykyl]

Gday.

You can download a legal ISO to match the windows OS you have instilled,  then burn it to a bootable DVD/USB, but you must have the COA that came with your computer.   Look for a sticker on the back, inside the left panel, inside, on the bottom, under the PSU. Using this method will completely wipe everthing from the computer, including any factory image.

 

There are some alternative, which I have not used, this is one, > http://www.dell.com/...19/SLN114921/EN

[123Runner]

Have you tried the recovery option?

This works if you still have the recovery partition.

Dell System Recovery

 

Restoring your computer

[chaldo]

Gday.

You can download a legal ISO to match the windows OS you have instilled,  then burn it to a bootable DVD/USB, but you must have the COA that came with your computer.   Look for a sticker on the back, inside the left panel, inside, on the bottom, under the PSU. Using this method will completely wipe everthing from the computer, including any factory image.

 

There are some alternative, which I have not used, this is one, > http://www.dell.com/...19/SLN114921/EN

 

I don't have a sticker but isn't there someway I can just look up my Microsoft code via Windows? Then proceed with the factory image restore? Also, I think creating a backup is out of the question because of the status of my computer

[chaldo]

Have you tried the recovery option?

This works if you still have the recovery partition.

Dell System Recovery

 

Restoring your computer

 

Following the instructions in the first link you provided, I tried holding ctrl + tapping F11, and nothing happened. I also tried tapping F11 without holding down ctrl and still nothing happened. Following the instructions from the second link you provided, after clicking "repair my computer" I end up at the "System Recovery Options Screen" from there, when I hit "System Image Recovery", it tells me "Windows cannot find a system image on this computer"

 

Any other ideas?

[iammykyl]

Sorry for the delay, been trying to sort out a solution.

Your options are very limited.

Without a COA you cannot use a windows OEM disk as you would not be able to activate it on line.

not 100% sure on this, where the Dell computer comes with the OS installed, the COA is embedded  as a SIP in the BIOS, if you reinstall using a Dell install/recovery disc, you do not have to activate on line, this is done automatically from the SIP embedded in the BIOS.

 

If you can get hold of a Dell disc, must be the same version as you have installed. you can try a reinstall.   You will not get a factory recovery partition with this method. 

[chaldo]

This seems so strange to me, that I paid for this computer with this OS, and just because Dell didn't a sticker on my computer, it prevents me from doing a factory wipe. I should be entitled to wipe my computer, just the same as I can wipe my phone. And they wonder why people pirate. That's about the only way I can wipe my OS is to go that route. And as far as my morals go, it sits fine with me, since I legally purchased these products, and this is the only means I have left to do a simple factory partition. Maybe I'm missing something, but it just seems so backwards. As always, I appreciate your help regardless.

 

Regards

[iammykyl]

Please do not use any pirated software as then we would not be able to help you any more, as per the TOA.

Please start the computer in Safe Mode,

> click start, > click Run.   In the little box, type, diskmgmt.msc

When the window opens, drag the right  side and bottom out, so all info is displayed.

Take a screenshot and include with your next reply. 

[chaldo]

Please do not use any pirated software as then we would not be able to help you any more, as per the TOA.

Please start the computer in Safe Mode,

> click start, > click Run.   In the little box, type, diskmgmt.msc

When the window opens, drag the right  side and bottom out, so all info is displayed.

Take a screenshot and include with your next reply. 

 

I would really rather not go down the piracy route. Here's the screenshot. Thanks for your help with this.

 

EDIT: Also, I just found the sticker on my computer. Does this help in any way?

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by chaldo, 11 January 2015 - 12:45 PM.

[iammykyl]

 

 

EDIT: Also, I just found the sticker on my computer. Does this help in any way?

Does it look like any of these?

> http://www.dell.com/...19/SLN291051/EN

[chaldo]

 

 

 

EDIT: Also, I just found the sticker on my computer. Does this help in any way?

Does it look like any of these?

> http://www.dell.com/...19/SLN291051/EN

 

 

 

Here is a picture of my exact sticker. Keys omitted, of course

 

[iammykyl]

Download the ISO from this site, > http://www.heidoc.ne...-download-links

Scroll down to the English (USA) heading.   Click on the exact version of the windows you have installed, save to the desktop. 

 

Download Burncdcc, (only burns ISO files) Save to the desktop, when you click it, the tool will open, Place a DVD in the tray, browse to the windows ISO and select it,  tick the Read Verify box, Click Start.> http://www.majorgeek...s/burncdcc.html

 

Please print these instructions, you will need them when installing the Dell Drivers, > http://www.dell.com/...en/19/SLN148687

 

Downland the urgent files, > http://www.dell.com/...tro-230/drivers

Then download the Recommended files, > http://www.dell.com/...tro-230/drivers

 

You will not need any  of the Optional files. 

[chaldo]

Okay. I'm running Windows 7 Home Edition 64-bit. So I downloaded the file:

Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 U (media refresh) latest and greatest X17-58997.iso

I burned the image to a dvd using Burncdcc.

I printed the Dell driver instructions and have them here.

How do I begin the re-formatting process?

[iammykyl]

Thanks for the update.

 

Here is a step by step guide.   Have a read through and post back if you have questions. 

I would follow all recommendations, ensure that all partitions are deleted as shown.  

> http://pcsupport.abo...tall-part-1.htm

[chaldo]

You are so awesome. All of your steps worked perfectly. That link you provided even outlines how to recover your Microsoft # even if the sticker is removed. Thank you again so much for all your help. One question though. My partitions show the following:

 

 

I already deleted the third partition, as you can see. But I'm just curious what the first two are. Can you explain them to me? I tried Googling the answer but I found so many different responses and opinions, and I trust yours. Can I / should I delete them? The space that they take up doesn't concern me. Their purpose and possible impace does. Thank you.

Edited by chaldo, 13 January 2015 - 09:57 PM.