Dell System Restore XP

Dell has designed two new backup and restore programs, see below for the details:

Dell Inspirons, Studios, and XPS Systems use DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 as the PC Restore/Factory Image Restore option as of April 22, 2009.

Dell OptiPlex, Latitude, Vostro, and Precisions use Dell Backup and Recovery Manager as the PC Restore/Factory Image Restore option as of May 26, 2009.

Step 1: Backup important files & data

Use Windows XP Files & Settings Transfer Wizard To Backup Files & Data

The Files & Settings Transfer Wizard will automatically collect and save the files in your My Documents folder, including your Music, Pictures and Videos folders. Additionally, the wizard will collect and save the files on your desktop and in your Shared Documents and Shared Desktop folders (if more than one person share files on different user accounts on your computer).

1 Click Start point to All Programs , point to Accessories, point to System Tools and click Files & Settings Transfer Wizard.

2 Select Old Computer and click Next

This selection will specify that this is the computer you want to back up your important files and settings from. The wizard may take a moment to prepare for the next step.

3 Select your transfer method, from one of the following selections:

Floppy drive or other removable media (Recommended) – select this option if you have a USB memory key, USB hard drive, CD or DVD writable drive and blank discs.

Other – select this option if you are on a home network and can save your files to another computer or shared network drive.

Once selected, click Next

4 Select Files Only and click Next

The wizard will begin collecting and saving your files to the specified location. If you specified a removable drive, the wizard may prompt you to enter an additional blank disc if more than one is necessary to hold all your files. Be sure to label your discs thoroughly (such as “My Files Disc 1″ etc.) so you can quickly restore them later.

5 Once completed, click Finish to close the wizard.

You are now ready to proceed with the next step.

Step 2: Remove non-essential peripherals

Except for the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, remove all external peripherals including:

Note:

An external peripheral is a device that connects to a port on the front, side or back of the computer, like a printer or memory key.

Scanner
Printer
Modem or Network cables
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
USB flash drive or other external Hard Drive
Any other external devices (e.g., USB-attached devices)
Remove the computer from the docking station, if you are using one.

Step 3: Restore the computer’s software to original condition.

Notice: Restoring the original factory image erases ALL existing data. This includes files, folders, programs, drivers, E-mails, photos. Before performing a PC Restore, back up all personal files. If you do not back up your personal files, the data will be lost.

1 Turn on the computer.

2 When the Dell splash screen appears during the computer startup process, press and hold <Ctrl> and then press <F11>. Then, release both keys at the same time.

Some systems like Inspiron Mini 9 (910) do not support System Restore as they do not have <F11> nor any substitute.
If the key strokes are not working or you do not have PC Restore any more. You will have to do a manual reinstall.

3 In the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window, click Restore. Alternatively, press <Tab> to highlight Restore, and then press <Enter>.

4 When a warning message appears stating that all data will be lost, click Confirm, or press <Tab> to highlight Confirm and then press <Enter>.

The Progress window will appear. Once the restore process starts, Dell PC Restore by Symantec usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to finish.

When the restore process is complete, the following message will appear:
The system recovery process was successful.