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General discussion

Restoring Laptop to original system

Mar 28, 2005 1:47PM PST

My parents got me a used Dell Inspiron 5160 laptop but had no reboot or restore disc. How do I restore it to its original system?

Discussion is locked

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Dell Restore
Mar 28, 2005 2:10PM PST

There's no way to do this without the disk. You can contact Dell or the person that you bought the laptop from, for the restore disk.
Another option is to format and install from a new Windows O.S. disk. That's what I did with my Dell desktop pc. The Dell restore disk is filled with software that I don't use, so I opted to simply install Windows XP and leave off the rest.

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I Agree
Apr 1, 2005 3:03PM PST

Either get hold of the guy from the laptop has been bought and demand for the restore CDs or then get a copy of Windows XP Pro or Home OS (whichever) you prefer. Install from a scratch and you'll be better off. Yes, before that visit the Dell web site and see what all software, drivers, etc are available for your particular model of the notebook, download them and make a copy of these. After installing windows, install these drivers and utility software offered by Dell.
But I also suggest you talk to dell support before doing all this. Maybe they have a way out, who knows.

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But what if. . .
Apr 6, 2005 3:44AM PDT

I have the disk, but no key. When you go to re-install it ask for the key. Will the company give you that? If not, I have another copy of XP Pro with a Key, but if I install that, I lose all the other software apps and drivers that came with the computer and is on the original disk, huh? If I were to install the new XP, what all would I have to do?

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Yes. You only get to keep what ...
Apr 6, 2005 3:52AM PDT

What you have a license to. If I give you a laptop, no key but an OS, I have SET YOU UP FOR A HARD FALL (or landing.)

You don't have the rights or license so that's the breaks.

This is why you scream at the supplier/seller if they shortchanged you. NO ONE HERE will help you rip off an OS or application since it's much like stealing a car. That's an accessory and not something people here help with.

Bob

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Well,
Apr 6, 2005 5:57AM PDT

the thing is, my mom's computer has been infected with viruses and stubborn malware. She decided to start over and reinstall XP on her system. She has the disk, but lost the key, so she was gonna try to contact dell and Microsoft for assistance. But if they won't help, I offered to use my XP disk and key to install on her system. However, I think she would lose all her software and software drivers that came with the system, is that right? Would I have to format or reformat her system or anything like that?

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Just like losing your car keys in fact.
Apr 6, 2005 6:15AM PDT

Let's say you are asking me to help you bust into the car since "you lost your keys." You know no one will help on that one.

Same story here. No one can help you save Dell and Microsoft to replace a lost key but they won't if you don't have the license in your name.

This is part of the reason to run BELARC ADVISOR before you lose the hard disk contents since that CD Key is in the report.

If not, you may have to pay up for the new OS and key.

As to all the software, why is this an issue? You can reinstall what is rightfully owned by you. Any copies, pirated, shady software are best lost.

If you really need an OFFICE workalike, try out OPEN OFFICE from http://www.openoffice.org

Bob

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Yeah, but. . .
Apr 6, 2005 6:15PM PDT

First, what is BELARC ADVISOR? Second, if she doesn't have all the software disks, then she can't reinstall them, right? Lastly, I feel that if Dell and/or Microsoft won't help her in re-installing what she paid for, then there is nothing wrong with using a copy of XP to install on her system. You probably disagree, which is understandable. I guess we have to agree to disagree. Normally, I don't like pirating, since it is essentially stealing and can be risky. However, in this case, I feel that if Microsoft won't give her another key (at no cost to them) and allow her to use what she paid for, then they are in the wrong. Just my opinion though.

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BELARC ADVISOR is on google.com
Apr 6, 2005 9:41PM PDT

As to who's in the wrong here... If you are the registered owner, I've found the keys easy to replace. At most 35 bucks.

As to not having all the software disks, if someone tosses them out they eventually pay the piper.

Bob