Please help me

[niemiro]

Sorry Rich, did not read your post. You seem to be on the right track and I will let your ideas run its course.

No! I did not mean it like that! I wasn't trying to take over, mearly ask what you thought about my ideas!? Do you think they are sensible?

 

[richc46]

Yes, I think the ideas are good. My last idea was an antiquated 5 second hold on start.

 

[Malechicken]

honestly as long as i can boot it up i dont mind reinstalling stuff nothing important is on the computer except a 10 GB install which will take a long time to reinstall

 

[niemiro]

honestly as long as i can boot it up i dont mind reinstalling stuff nothing important is on the computer except a 10 GB install which will take a long time to reinstall

What program is that? We probably can fix it, but it will be hit and miss. It will be difficult and long? Or we can just get the files off. Or, (niemiro recommends) we try to fix, and if it becomes difficult, we stop.

 

[richc46]

We can, also, try a dual boot with ubuntu, to retreive all documents.

 

[Malechicken]

its just a video game no big deal (World of warcraft :P)

 

[richc46]

Great, when done, you can just reinstall.

 

[Lorien]

Niemiro, I just posted more in the other thread - just some thoughts - but the part about saving data can apparently be ignored.

*Malechicken, we're still working out which way to go here. If we need to restore the computer to factory-original condition, what method(s) do you have to do that? Recovery Partition? Recovery Disks?

 

[Malechicken]

No disks at all :/ its OEM they installed vista on it where i bought it about 4 years ago

 

[richc46]

You can restore to factory specs, with an F Key. We can find out on line or from your manual.

 

[Lorien]

What is the manufacturer, make and model of your computer?

 

[Malechicken]

Dell Inspiron 531S

 

[richc46]

I have a Dell. Try to boot while tapping f11. See if that works. If not we can look it up, now. If it works, the computer will be like day one.

 

[niemiro]

I have a Dell. Try to boot while tapping f11. See if that works. If not we can look it up, now. If it works, the computer will be like day one.

LOLs! After all of this time, I never noticed that you have a Dell XPS 420. So do I! Mine is a little older however. 4GB of RAM was the maximum when I bought mine, and everything is slightly older, but it fulfils every need I have!

EDIT: My graphics card is slightly better, but I have a 2007 monitor, you have a 2009 monitor.

 

[Malechicken]

that didnt work richc46

 

[richc46]

Sorry, its f8, Dell also give DVDs that can restore. If you have them go that route.

I have xps 420 2 years old.

 

[Malechicken]

i only have a blue one that's for diagnostics and f8 didn't work also

bah why couldn't they just give me the vista disk when i bought it

 

[richc46]

My manual on page 95 says. When you see the Dell logo, hit f8 several times to get to advanced boot options.
XPS 420
Call Dell and get a free DVD or one for cost

 

[Malechicken]

:/ guess ill have to call them

 

[Lorien]

Here's how to do it according to the instructions for that Make and Model:

Using Dell Factory Image Restore in Windows Vista

Notice: Restoring the original factory image erases ALL existing data. This includes files, folders, programs, drivers, E-mails, photos. Before performing a PC Restore, back up all personal files. If you do not back up your personal files, the data will be lost.
1 Turn on the computer.
2 As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.

Note: You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.

3 Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.
4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.
5 Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.
6 Click Dell Factory Image Restore.
7 In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.
8 Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.
9 Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.
10 When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.

If this option isn't appearing, it would seem that using the Recovery Partition isn't an option here. You may need to order a set of Recovery Disks from Dell http://support.dell.com/support/top...ntact_technical_support?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs.