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Formatting a Dell but want to keep Dell Restore

  • 24-04-2006 6:25pm
    #1
    kazzer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 865 ✭✭✭


    If I format my new Dell laptop, can I keep the pre installed Dell Restore? Is it in a hidden partition and will I see this partition when I go to re-install windows (got the OS cd). Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    Kimbot
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 18,809 Mod ✭✭✭✭Kimbot


    DO you not have Restore CD's with your laptop??


  • #3
    8T8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,757 ✭✭✭8T8


    Haven't tried it myself but if your reason for formatting is to purge any Dell bloatware loaded on the system there is a utility that may save you a format called the Dell De-Crapifier which will remove all/some of the Dell bundled software.


  • #4
    gamer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,227 ✭✭✭gamer


    i think its in a hidden partition,so if you format the drive completely you will lose the restore files.You cud just reinstall windows in c:\windows.The last 3 years dell has set up restore hidden partition on the harddrive,on desktop pc,s.If you just format partition c: \ you should be ok,or you can use restore command to reload original windows os ,plus all dell applications as loaded in factory .Reboot pc, hold down cntrl,plus f11 until you see dell.com logo ,to start restore.Look at dell .com support for more detailed info.


  • #5
    srdb20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,175 ✭✭✭srdb20


    I did the same as yourself and had no end of problems reinstalling form the xp disc.

    Turned out it was the dell partition causing all the problems so i tried formatting it but i kept getting errors so i just ran a debug on the drive then fresh install and it was fine.


    Just a word of warning, be careful when debugging a drive!!!


  • #6
    irlrobins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,541 ✭✭✭irlrobins


    It is safe to format one partition of a HD while leaving other partitions untouched. So just format the partition that contains the C drive. Then you can use the XP CD to reinstall XP. If you use the hidden partion to restore it will restore XP and all the other programs that were installed when you first got laptop.

    Easiest way to format is to insert the XP CD, restart and when press a key to boot from CD when it prompts you. Select the option to install XP. It will look for any existing versions of XP and ask you do you want to repair the existing install. Say no and get it to install a fresh version. As part of this process it will allow you to format.


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  • #7
    srdb20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,175 ✭✭✭srdb20


    The reason he probably wants to format it, is to get the HD space used by the Dell recovery stuff and free it up.

    Well i know thats why i did it!!!


  • #8
    irlrobins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,541 ✭✭✭irlrobins


    srdb20 wrote:
    The reason he probably wants to format it, is to get the HD space used by the Dell recovery stuff and free it up.
    kazzer wrote:
    If I format my new Dell laptop, can I keep the pre installed Dell Restore?

    Clearly not the reason. :p


  • #9
    srdb20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,175 ✭✭✭srdb20


    Good point,

    Well thats what i get for not reading the entire post, i hate work, im way too busy!!!


    :D:D:D


  • #10
    themole
    Closed Accounts Posts: 888 ✭✭✭themole


    kazzer wrote:
    If I format my new Dell laptop, can I keep the pre installed Dell Restore? Is it in a hidden partition and will I see this partition when I go to re-install windows (got the OS cd). Thanks.

    what are you trying to do?

    If you want to keep the dell restore then use the restore disk.

    otherwise delete it and reinstall from scratch.

    i don't really see any reason to do anything other than these two options.

    are you trying to do something different?


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