Gateway Parts

Does anyone know how to re-set a Dell Computer back to installation settings?

I have done it twice before, but I have forgotten what to do after I get into the first part of it. I can not afford to pay for dell Help, and Support. That is over $200.00 a year or $99.00 for a one time fix. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time, and help. I forgot to mention that I do not have the cd that was supposed to come with my computer. I know about the f11, but what to do after that; I can't remember. Once again thank you for your time, and advice.

Public Comments

1. I believe you just press F11 at start up.
2. get your windows cd and drivers cd, insert the windows cd/dvd, let it format the harddrive and install windows afterwards, insert the drivers cd/dvd and install everything.
3. I think windows xp has a restore...If so, go in and set the date to the first day you booted up. It will save any files you have at present.
4. put in the start up disk you got with the computer
5. Your Dell should come with recovery cds. You run the recovery cds and they reset everything back (reinstalling all the original settings).. but remember this will overwrite all of your programs, documents, and settings... so be sure to back up your files before doing this. good luck.
6. f11 at startup but make sure you save whatever u need to save on a disc first!!!
7. well.. if you want to reformat your computer--(reseting all drivers and will destroy saved data)---just insert the xp disc and an option will come up to reformat, or restart computer with disc in cd drive and the screen comes up for reformating computer not sure if this answers question
8. If you are talking about the boot settings you do that in the CMOS menu at startup. Hold down the Delete key as the computer starts to power up, before you see the windows XP screen. If you want to restore the computer to the state that it came from dell put in the restore CD that came with the computer and follow the prompts for a destructive restore.