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Question

reset dell

Nov 8, 2013 8:27AM PST

I have a dell 9100 desk top with ex pro on it and want to reset it to the original factory settings, I've tried everything I know. Help Grampssr

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Can you tell.
Nov 8, 2013 8:40AM PST

What you tried?

Dafydd.

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tried
Nov 9, 2013 1:16AM PST

I tried all of the hold this key hit this key and so on. Go to safe mode and more. Nothing works so far

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Re: keys and safe mode
Nov 9, 2013 3:09AM PST

Going to safe mode definitely doesn't work. Maybe you pressed the wrong keys or the right key at the wrong moment?

Kees

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Clarification Request
xp pro
Nov 9, 2013 1:22AM PST

xp pro not (e) sorry

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Answer
Re: reset Dell
Nov 9, 2013 12:39AM PST

Use your service tag at support.dell.com to find the instructions. Those old Dells used to come with a XP disk and a driver disk, but maybe there's a recovery partition to boot from also.

Kees

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They wanna charge me more than the computer is worth
Nov 9, 2013 1:00AM PST

They wanna charge me 150 to tell me how.

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Really?
Nov 9, 2013 1:24AM PST

I use the dell.com site weekly it seems and the service tag takes me to the support page and all the information there is free to use.

I'm guessing here that you are new to installing Windows and need more. Here's a little site with pictures about just installing XP but short of the drivers.

http://www.blackviper.com/os-install-guides/windows-xp-home-install-guide/

After that you have the OS installed and then get to follow the usual driver install.

All this is free information. But I understand the many don't want to install or learn how to install Windows. In those cases I think the 150 is the going rate to have it done.
Bob

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I'll try it again
Nov 9, 2013 1:44AM PST

I've been all over that site and nothing is free that I can find. I know how to install windows. Alll I really want is my address book from outlook. So I don't care about losing every thing. Just want out of the stuff on it. It was my So ns college computer. Grampssr

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Just last week it was all free.
Nov 9, 2013 1:51AM PST

Are you reporting that Dell has begun to charge for access to their support pages?

I'll keep an eye out for that but as of Wednesday, November 6, 2013 I was at dell.com to grab drivers for a dell and was not charged or asked for a fee.

-> Did they change that?
Bob

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Re: Address book
Nov 9, 2013 3:11AM PST

That's a totally new view on what you wish. You wanted to restore to factory conditions and that certainly didn't have your address book.

Just one question left: do you mean Outlook Express or MS Outlook (and if the last, what version)?
And why not restore it from your backup?

Kees

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outlook
Nov 9, 2013 11:14AM PST

micro soft outlook. I can get my address book anytime. I jusst want to get all the junk gone from this little comp.. It just doesn't work correctly It was my son's college comp. Lots of junk on it
. I can not get micro soft security essencials to work and won't load Norton or Mac afee.

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I'd like to read about this Dell charging for the site.
Nov 9, 2013 11:33AM PST

Did Dell change this?

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Re: micro soft outlook
Nov 9, 2013 7:35PM PST

What version (2002, 2003, 2007, 2010)?

But since you "can get your address book anytime" it seems you already found an answer to your wish "I want my address book from outlook".

Kees

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Answer
Your Dell 9100 desktop
Nov 9, 2013 1:09AM PST

<span id="INSERTION_MARKER">I used to have a Dell Computer. As I remember, Dell had an 800 number you could call for help. Have you tried that?

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yes
Nov 9, 2013 1:17AM PST

Yes got an Indian wanted to chare $200.00 the computer is no worth it.

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Dell recovery
Nov 9, 2013 1:31AM PST

And you tried CTRL+F11? That was a method to attempt recovery on Dell XP systems IF they had a recovery partition onboard, not all had the feature.

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ctrl F11
Nov 9, 2013 11:15AM PST

I will try it again. tks

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Answer
I read other posts to you...
Nov 9, 2013 11:09PM PST

If all you really want is the "address book" then get your hands on Hiren's Help disk. You need to burn the .ISO file to a blank disc. Once done it will be bootable. provided it was done right( I offer no instructions, you have to know how to burn a disc) proceed to boot-up with disc installed and as CD as 1st boot device. If correct, it will boot from CD drive and you select the XP mini-mode. It should boot into XP type format. It will act as if its in XP OS. Now, find your address book folder and "export it" to you some flash drive(you need one). With that done, you have your primary need done, exit out. If you want to re-install the XP OS, then you need the OEM type discs that came with the PC. if you don't have them, then try:

http://www.restoredisks.com >>>> and order for your Dell model# at some small cost. You can try any other website source or even eBay vendors, but I tend to shy away from anything eBay(that's me). Google using keywords, [XP restore disks] for hits.

Understand if you re-install the OS, you usually delete any prior data as you format. You could restore or refresh the XP OS, but OEM type OS install generally aren't that accommodating, they wipe it all away. Alas, at dell's support website as already stated to you, they do provide free support. You do need to manually get what files, etc., from same website but at no cost, once you enter your service tag#. On these forums, there is also a Dell forum, ask there as well, start a new thread.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Re: hiren's boot cd
Nov 9, 2013 11:15PM PST

I don't see any need in what the OP posted to use that. He told he his machine is full of junk and possibly has some malware, but he nowhere says he can't boot into Windows XP.

Kees

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If he has malware or anything...
Nov 10, 2013 6:40AM PST

Should the OP have any malware or similar, booting using Hiren's isolates the recovery of files from xfering anything else along with it. Understand, its still Linux and not really XP, more of a heck good wine setup. getting, the file(s) becomes more at ease because its treated just like XP(windoze) thus easy for many users. It has limitations but any XP user could get a quick learning curve from git. Also, if it that gets the file in question, that's safe, now any other method used for whatever reason should result in bad outcome at least the file is saved.

Further the OP did want to install or "reset" to factory conditions, I can't any better way of doing that but a fresh OS install. As of today, Dell still provides support website provided the user can navigate around it, and that's still free. I don't any other method of support being free, so generally that's a pay as you go method. I like to think I covered all bases and up to the OP to proceed.

tada -----Willy Happy

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i can boot to xp
Nov 11, 2013 1:27AM PST

I can boot to xp but i can't get to micro soft essentials or malware bytes. I can get on line with yahoo or google or firefox but i can not load a working virus protection. I'm tired of messing with it and If I can't reset it to factory settings I will just scrap it.