Solved F8 doesn't offer "repair computer" option

J

Jane25

New Member
Hello,

I have a recovery partition on my Dell windows vista 64x inspiron computer but when I press the F8 key there is no option for "repair computer" or anything like that. How do I restore it to factory settings using that image?

Thank you,

Jane

P.S.

when I tried getting the recovery screen from the neosmart boot disk i clicked "restore computer" to factory settings and it scanned and said it "couldn't find a valid recovery location" but if I'm in windows I can go to my computer and clearly see a recovery partition so I know one is there or at least WAS.

is it possible that it got corrupted or do I need to change some setting to make it work. Thanks.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

re: F8 doesn't offer "repair computer" option

Hello again Jane.




Be sure to post back so I know if this is still correct. ;)
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.
Click to expand...
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
re: F8 doesn't offer "repair computer" option

Hi,

the CTR + F11 does not work. And I'm quite sure it's not my timing because I tried several times repeatedly and am fairly confident I know the boot sequence by now well enough to have that kind of timing down.

F8 works for me. and F2 and F12 for setup and bios tools but there is no CTR + F11 that gives me anything.

I suspect there is something to do with letting bios/windows know that the recovery partition is there and available but that's a guess.

Jane
 

My Computer

System One

re: F8 doesn't offer "repair computer" option

I'm sorry it's not working for you, maybe the earlier issues have FUBAR'd the recovery partition.



If you have a friend with a Vista install disk maybe you can use it to re-install and then activate with the number on the sticker attached to the PC from the manufacturer.
Keep us informed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
re: F8 doesn't offer "repair computer" option

update: When I go to the Backup and Restore Center and click "Restore Computer" it gives me the instructions:

"...To restore you computer, you need to run Windows Complete PC Restore from the System Recovery Options menu. You can access the recovery options menu from a recovery partion using the F8 key at startup, or from a Windows installation disc. "


So i restart and press F8:
*********************************
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with command prompt

Enable Boot Logging
Enable low-resolution video
Last known good configuration
directory services restore mode
Debugging Mode
Disable Automatic restart on system failure
Disable Driver Signature enforcement

Start windows normally
************************************

nothing about system recovery or restore....something's missing. :S
 

My Computer

System One

re: F8 doesn't offer "repair computer" option

Naw, here's the standard "Safe Mode" screen.
click to enlarge
Safe.JPG
​
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
re: F8 doesn't offer "repair computer" option

ok, well I just gave up and am installing windows 7 on this computer. so I guess you can mark this as resolved kind of. I guess we'll never know why the recovery partition didn't work or register on F8 screen.
 

My Computer

System One

re: F8 doesn't offer "repair computer" option

Hello Jane, sorry we couldn't get it resolved.



Have a look at the link below for the best Windows 7 forum on the inerwebz.



SevenForums.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
To have a 'Repair' option after pressing F8 depends on:
1. Having a 'Recovery' folder with two files in it - boot.sdi + winre.wim
2. Having a corresponding 'Recovery loader' entry in the BCD.
3. Having a corresponding 'Ramdisk options' entry in the BCD.

A 'Recovery loader' entry in the BCD is a normal Windows 7/Vista loader entry with special settings for 'Application device' and 'OS Device'.

As the topic is really complicated and for advanced users. On interest, I could make a post how to create the needed entries in the BCD.

By the way, as far as I know the only GUI tool with the functionality of bcdedit is 'Visual BCD Editor'. Using this tool you could create the needed entries in the BCD.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
i am having the same problem, however i have a 'Repair Your Computer' command on teh F8 screen but the difficulty i am having is when i press enter the computer proceeds to the start up login window? any help would be much appreciated.

ta
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    Memory
    512 MB
Hello and welcome, can you start your own thread to address your issues . This one is solved for the Original Poster.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
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