HandsomeDead Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 As title. I'm selling my laptop and I'm trying to get get it back to factory settings or format the HDD or something. I've got no software that came with the laptop anymore so I can't do it that way. Googling the problem just threw up many answers that confused me. The laptop is a Dell Inspiron if it helps. Ta! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DANGERMAN Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 is there anything on the boot menu (as it's loading hit whatevers prompted, some have TAB some F12 or F8), sometimes you can restore/repair from there. Dont reset the bios though. Failing that you're going to need a windows disk from someone/somewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandsomeDead Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 I found that but it didn't let me restore. I'll have to find a disc. Cheers anywho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimboxy Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I found that but it didn't let me restore. I'll have to find a disc. Cheers anywho. How old is it? Can you let me know the model. We have inspirons at work and might have a recovery disc or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandsomeDead Posted August 3, 2011 Author Share Posted August 3, 2011 I don't think its that old, 3 years old tops. It's an Inspiron 6400. A disc would help a lot, cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimboxy Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 I don't think its that old, 3 years old tops. It's an Inspiron 6400. A disc would help a lot, cheers. Sorry I havent replied sooner. We don't have inspirons, we have latitudes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandsomeDead Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 Ah, never mind. The hammer it is then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberpunk Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 What's it's model number mate? If you can give me the model number, I'll see what I can do. The other alternative is to re-install windows, and then track down all the correct drivers for it. I've done this loads of times, but I wouldn't recommend it for a novice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimboxy Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 What's it's model number mate? If you can give me the model number, I'll see what I can do. The other alternative is to re-install windows, and then track down all the correct drivers for it. I've done this loads of times, but I wouldn't recommend it for a novice. Driver magician before you format. Works a treat and no hunting needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberpunk Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Driver magician before you format. Works a treat and no hunting needed. True Jimbo, but many "Good" manufacturers have all the drivers on their web pages now. Although I will say the drivers page for the motherboard I currently use is so slow that it constantly disconnects, and corrupts downloads. I would go with Driver Magician too, unless you have driver issues to start with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandsomeDead Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 What's it's model number mate? If you can give me the model number, I'll see what I can do. The other alternative is to re-install windows, and then track down all the correct drivers for it. I've done this loads of times, but I wouldn't recommend it for a novice. Where would the model number be? All I know is what I've already put up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberpunk Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Where would the model number be? All I know is what I've already put up. It should be on the bottom of the computer, there will be a barcode sticker with the serial number on it...or it may be underneath the battery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandsomeDead Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 I have 2 codes under the battery. 246-659-270-23 BBXGF3J I hope one of those is it. There are a load of codes on this thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberpunk Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I think this is how to do it, although those codes you supplied were not the model numbers. 1 Turn on the computer. During the boot process, a blue bar with www.dell.com appears at the top of the screen. 2 Immediately upon seeing the blue bar, press <Ctrl> + <F11>. If you do not press <Ctrl> + <F11> in time, let the computer finish starting, and then restart the computer again. NOTICE: If you do not want to proceed with PC Restore, click Reboot in the following step. 3 On the next screen that appears, click Restore. 4 On the next screen, click Confirm. The restore process takes approximately 6–10 minutes to complete. 5 When prompted, click Finish to reboot the computer. NOTE: Do not manually shut down the computer. Click Finish and let the computer completely reboot. 6 When prompted, click Yes. The computer restarts. Because the computer is restored to its original operating state, the screens that appear, such as the End User License Agreement, are the same ones that appeared the first time the computer was turned on. 7 Click Next. The System Restore screen appears and the computer restarts. 8 After the computer restarts, click OK. Worst case senario, I can supply a Windows disc for you to borrow. If you let me know what kind of Windows it was running, I can post it to you. You should have a Windows Key Code sticker on your laptop, and that is the code you would use to install Windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandsomeDead Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 CTRL & F11 does nothing. F2 brings up a menu but I can't do anything useful from there. But I appreciate the help. I've asked a freind to get hold of a Vista disc but if he can't get one I'll send you a PM with my address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberpunk Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 CTRL & F11 does nothing. F2 brings up a menu but I can't do anything useful from there. But I appreciate the help. I've asked a freind to get hold of a Vista disc but if he can't get one I'll send you a PM with my address. Ok Mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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