Desktop PC - Total system restore

[PeteXXX]

Soon, very soon... Just making sure I have all the bits I need first.

 

[PeteXXX]

Right! I pressed the button.
Darn system wouldn't let me do it!

Restarted and waited for the Dell logo, F8 and got to the 'repair' screen option but wasn't allowed to do it. I right clicked to 'run as admin' and got through to D:/tools/PCRepair but no joy.
I attempted to go direct, via Computer/Recovery(D)tools/PCRestore, which started to run then came up with 'error'.
Checking online, it appears that upgrading from the original XP to W7 has destroyed the factory reset option.

Hmmmm

 

[cyberknight]

Full reinstall from win 7 disc then .

 

[PeteXXX]

The Win 7 disc I have is an Upgrade (from XP or Vista)disc only..
I've been in touch with Dell to see if they have a workaround for it.

 

[cyberknight]

The Win 7 disc I have is an Upgrade (from XP or Vista)disc only..
I've been in touch with Dell to see if they have a workaround for it.

It would be from vista, you cant do a upgrade from xp to win 7 as i found it when i did my system at x mas.
I bought an oem full disc from ebay and did an install that way .

 

[mybike]

It would be from vista, you cant do a upgrade from xp to win 7 as i found it when i did my system at x mas.
I bought an oem full disc from ebay and did an install that way .

That's pretty much my option to create a Windows virtual machine.

 

[PeteXXX]

Apologies, but that means nothing to me.

 

[drummerbod]

I reckon the disc will allow a full re-install. The W7 discs issued for the first 18months or so allowed full re-install.

Boot from the disc and choose Install > Custom > Advanced > highlight each partition and delete. Then choose install.

 

[jamin100]

You can download the full win 7 ISO from the Internet and make a bootable USB or cd
You'll then just need a windows 7 key which I'm sure you could get cheaply from eBay

Put an SSD in it though lol

 

[DWiggy]

I had an old slow notbook, I tried windows 7, 10 beta and Ubuntu, the latter was quickest but it was still slow so decided to get a new laptop.
I went for a 14" HP chrome book and boy this thing shifts, yes it's just a browser but it turns on in 5-6 seconds from a cold start and its lightening fast browsing the web and switching users, I can still upload my rides from my garmin via file explorer, and for £170 it's by far the best laptop I've owned.
They even do a 13" for £130 (which seemed to have a better screen)

 

[andyfraser]

I had an old slow notbook, I tried windows 7, 10 beta and Ubuntu, the latter was quickest but it was still slow so decided to get a new laptop.
I went for a 14" HP chrome book and boy this thing shifts, yes it's just a browser but it turns on in 5-6 seconds from a cold start and its lightening fast browsing the web and switching users, I can still upload my rides from my garmin via file explorer, and for £170 it's by far the best laptop I've owned.
They even do a 13" for £130 (which seemed to have a better screen)

I'm using a 14" HP Chromebook too (the older Intel Celeron one) and you're right, it flies! Booting is getting quicker with each update. I now lift the lid from cold and can just log in. I'm very impressed with mine.

 

[DWiggy]

The only thing that lets it down is the screen quality but for the price it does everything I need and more, and if the op is thinking of upgrading hard drives, os etc it might be worth having a look at a chromebook I can't recommend them enough

 

[andyfraser]

The only thing that lets it down is the screen quality but for the price it does everything I need and more, and if the op is thinking of upgrading hard drives, os etc it might be worth having a look at a chromebook I can't recommend them enough

The screen quality on mine is more than reasonable.

HP used to do a Chrome Box too for £150. Connect to a TV or monitor via HDMI, attach a keyboard and mouse (USB or Bluetooth) and you have a desktop PC running Chrome OS. Others make them but the HP was very good value. You can still get the HP put it's becoming rarer by the day.