How do I completely erase and reset a Dell computer? Customer service costs like $100...?

Question

My girlfriend's Dell is all messed up and I tried calling customer service so they can guide me thru like they did with my cousin's HP, but I'm not paying no hundred bucks for it so can anyone help me?

Answer 1

It all depends on what you have:
With my experience with Dell (heck, I worked for them.. =P ), you could restore your computer by this mean (assuming you checked on order to get these CDs at no cost at time of purchase):

1) Dell Windows Operating System Restore CD (usually come with the OS user guide - plastic shrink wrapped)
2) Various CD/DVD Player (Cyberlink DVD, Sonic CD EZ Creator, etc.)
3) Dell Resource CD (which contains all your computer drivers)
4) Application Softwares w/Product Key Code/License (e.g. Microsoft Office suite, Quicken/Quickbooks, Norton/McAfee, etc.)

The big issues are 2-4 for most customers because you do not know what is in the system nor do you have these CD/DVDs (because you didn't request for them at time of order).

#2 & #4, you have to get your CD from Dell (usually at a fee for shipping)

#3, go to http://support.dell.com and enter your Service Tag (or Dell model) under Popular Support Tools to get the latest drivers list for the system. Note, it will not be tailor to your computer but from their list of hardware parts for your model line. Dell Resource CD will detect and tell you what you have on your computer (hence why I bring it up)

Once, you have everything,

1) Run Windows Restore CD
2) Load the CD/ DVD Player
3) Dell Resource CD or drivers into the computer
4) Applications

Recommendation to get all information on your computer before restoring it, download:
http://www.belarc.com --> Free Download --> Belarc Advisor
Why? This provides your current computer specs (and Windows updates), some/most (but not all) software installation and product key codes (in case you lost the key), and some drivers/hardware parts. Print it out for your drivers and applications software

If you were to System Restore (Win XP), it does not guarantee all the mess on your computer (unless you get it to the first date of system restore and there are no trojans/malwares present on the system)

On a Sidenote, Dell do support that if your warranty is current. This applies to HP. If your warranty expired, both of them will charge you for the support. I just want you to keep track of your warranty and what came with the computer system

Answer 2

I wonder if you realize that it's not the computer that you're formating but the OS [Operating System]?

To be able to help you correctly, therefore, one needs to know that's the OS that's there on that computer, don't you agree?

Please do rephrase your question, specifying the OS [Windows or Linux; and if Windows, whether it's 98, 2000 or XP] so that people can guide you correctly.

In the absence of this information, I'm assuming that your OS is Windows XP while I give your the following steps to help you resolve this issue.

First of all, rather than format and re-install the OS, you might be able to resolve your problem simply by using the "System Restore" function, so try this first.

Go to "Start", then to "Settings", click on this and go to "Performance and Maintenance", in the window that opens there, look to the upper left hand corner where you'll see a box containing "System Restore" and click on it. The rest of it is easy, because it's all ready made. Please check to see if the date and time already existent there is the correct one for when the computer was last known to be working correctly; otherwise, select the correct date and time according to your knowledge before proceeding.

If, in the rare chance that this doesn't work, then first get the installation CD of your OS, place it in the CD or DVD Drive and it'll open automatically. Choose the option "Format Drive" for "C" Drive and then after this is done, use the "Install" option. All the steps there are pre-set, so you really need to do nothing more than click next.

Hope this helps you resolve this issue and save 100$.

All the best.

Cheers

Answer 3

Two answers, the best one first. Windows XP has a function called System Restore, which will take you back to a previous version when the computer was working fine (like the beginning of the week or month, I included the link to click on so you can follow along). Answer two: the Dell should have come with a "Restore CD". Put it in the CD drive, and restart the computer. When the computer starts up it will give you options, like to just reinstall the software, or totally wipe out the hard drive and reinstall the software so it is like new when you got it out the box.

Answer 4

use the re-installation disk that came with the computer.You can either repair the computer with it or redo your OS.If you don't have it contact DELL and order one.They should not be to expensive.Make sure you have the key code that should be somewhere on your computer as you will need to put it in when reprogramming the computer.Also you will need the OS that is running on your computer(XP,WIN2000,etc.) as the DELL sales person will ask you for it to send out the right disk.If you are running Windows XP have you tried doing a system restore?GOOD LUCK.

Answer 5

first, back up any data you want to save.

second, change the boot order in the bios to boot from the CD first. you will have to reboot the PC to get to the option to enter the bios - probably like F2, F10, F12, or the Esc button.

third, put a bootable Windows installaiton CD into the CD drive and power it up.

choose to delete the existing drive partiton. then create a new partition (to replace the one you deleted) and choose to install windows to that partition.

Answer 6

Look it up online on a different computer, or print instructions. It is pretty easy, just too much to explain. "reformat hard drve"

Answer 7

sweep the harddrive yourself with the startup disk that came with it,it will give u instructions just put it in and restart the computer

Answer 8

hmmm depends on if she still has the setup disk that came with it ...if she does have it put it in and bootup to it ..it should let you reload everything that came with the comp

Answer 9

format the hard drive