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Question

Problem with system restore dell desktop xp

by Aug 8, 2011 5:18AM PDT

I want to do a system restore i have done this in the past with no problem ctrl+f11. The problem i am having is after ctrl +f11 it then gives me 2 choices to either do system restore or return to load windows this is where the problem is my mouse and keyboard no longer work at this point and i can't highlight restore. I then have to hit power button on tower to shut computer off and restart computer. If i let computer load to normally my mouse and keyboard work fine its only stops working after hitting ctrl f11. Anyone have any idea why???

Discussion is locked

14 Posts
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Answer
Try the usual. Plug in a PS2 Keyboard.
by Forum moderator Aug 8, 2011 5:21AM PDT

I've lost count how many times...

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Answer
Try a new keyboard or mouse
by Forum moderator Aug 8, 2011 5:23AM PDT

That is not System Restore but is a re-installation of Windows.

System Restore is where Windows is loaded and you return the system back to a date and time where a "Restore Point" was previously created.

A re-install, or "Return to factory setup" is where the OS is wiped completely clean and re-installed. You start afresh.

If either or both the mouse/keyboard are USB, change one or both to a PS/2 type mouse/keyboard.

Mark

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Return to factory setup
by babytee_519 Aug 8, 2011 5:53AM PDT

Yes that is what i want "Return to factory setup" Sorry glad you understood what i meant.
Ok i have old keyboard but i have no port in the back of computer to fit that style plug so not sure what to do now. Just to let you know i have done this a few times before on this computer with same mouse and keyboard and never had this problem like this before. Confused Sad

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All I read is "dell desktop."
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 8, 2011 9:17AM PDT

Sorry but there are some thousand models so I hope you can supply a link to your Dell model.
Bob

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That's strange
by MarkFlax Forum moderator Aug 8, 2011 9:06PM PDT

I have a Dell Dimension 8300 Desktop PC which arrived with XP already installed. I got it in 2002

That makes it an old PC in today's terms, and PCs in those days had two PS/2 ports at the back, one for a PS/2 keyboard, and the other for a PS/2 mouse. Color coded ports to match the color coded plugs on the keyboard and mouse, Grey, (Purplish), for Keyboard, Green for the mouse.

It seems your computer tower must be a much newer version which only have on legacy PS/2 port, or even none at all.

Mark

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Return to factory setup
by babytee_519 Aug 9, 2011 1:55AM PDT

My computer is Dell Dimension E521

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Link, comment.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 9, 2011 2:03AM PDT
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dime521/en/index.htm and the setup diagram shows using a specific USB port for the keyboard.

What we discovered is that some Dells must use the Dell USB keyboard or you lost access to setup or BIOS features. Be sure to use the USB port in the setup diagram and to use the Dell Keyboard it came with.
Bob
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Return to factory setup
by babytee_519 Aug 9, 2011 2:51AM PDT

Ok i will check that out and try that and get back to you. Thanks

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Return to factory setup
by babytee_519 Aug 9, 2011 3:06AM PDT

Ok checked that out my keyboard was in right port my mouse was in another so both are where they should be. I restarted computer did the ctrt f11 and still cant click restore i lose use of both keyboard and mouse when i come to that page. Like i have said i have done this before no problem in the past but for some odd reason its not letting me. Yes i am using same keyboard and mouse that came with computer.

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Then my last idea.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 9, 2011 3:11AM PDT

Head to the BIOS screen and select all the defaults.

Also, you must not have printers, hard drives or other USB things plugged in during a Factory Setup or it's known to fail.

Also the machine must be "stock". Even adding one stick of RAM can upset this.
Bob

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Return to factory setup
by babytee_519 Aug 9, 2011 3:21AM PDT

Ok sorry this may sound stupid but where will i find BIOS screen? I will try unplugging the printer or anything else i may have plugged in. Computer has had nothing added to it or changed in any manner. Thanks Bob for your help with this mess i have Happy

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Return to factory setup
by babytee_519 Aug 9, 2011 4:18AM PDT

Ok i found out i have to hit f2 at start up to get to bios screen. Well here is another problem Irestared computer and it says right at start up hit f2 or f12 well what i noticed was my keyboard light comes on for about 2 secs then goes off and would not allow me to go the bios and does not go on again till the www.dell.com screen comes on which would be when i would hit f11. Then after getting to the return to factory setting page my keyboard light goes off again. The funny this is if i don't hit f11 and just let computer load normal the light stays on my keyboard is fine other wise and while using the computer i have no problems with it at all. So if it was a problem with keyboard it still would not explain why after getting to the f11 screen my mouse wont work either. Im starting to wonder it its the usb ports are for some reason turning off at that point but other wise working fine. Not sure why that would be. I also tried plugging both mouse and keyboard into other ports in the back and i get the same thing happening.

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When that happens I...
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 9, 2011 4:31AM PDT
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Return to factory setup
by babytee_519 Aug 9, 2011 4:45AM PDT

Ok well i won't have time to do that right now getting ready to go camping will have to get back to you. Thanks for all your help today. Happy
Teresa

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