HomeThis guide explains how to start factory image restore utility on a Dell laptop with Windows Vista. Running this utility will erase everything from the hard drive and re-image it back to factory defaults. In this particular case I’m restoring software on a Dell XPS M1530 laptop.
Let’s say your Dell laptop came without recovery discs but you have to reinstall Windows because the operating system got corrupted or infected with viruses or spyware. What can you do?
There is a chance that your laptop has a hidden recovery partition and you can re-image the hard drive using files on the hidden partition. This guide may not work for all Dell laptops with Vista.
If the guide works for you, please mention the laptop model name and number in the comments after the post.
STEP 1.
Turn on the laptop and as soon as Dell logo appears on the screen press on the F8 key.
STEP 2.
You should get a screen with advanced boot options.
Select the first option “Repair Your Computer” and press on the Enter key.
STEP 3.
After a while the system restore option box will appear on the screen.
Select your keyboard layout and press on the Next button.
STEP 4.
At the next dialog box it will ask you for the user name and password.
Select your name from the drop down menu (you have to have administrative rights on this laptop). Enter the password and press OK button.
STEP 5.
Click on the Dell Factory Image Restore option in the next box.
STEP 6.
Finally, you’ll get the Dell Factory Image Restore box. Click Next and follow instructions on the screen.
WARNING! Back up all personal files before running this utility. The hard drive will be reformatted and all personal files will be erased during the recovery process.
May 14th, 2013 at 1:13 am
If i click on repair your computer it goes to windows dont go to the above screen can any one help me..on this
April 22nd, 2013 at 9:09 pm
@ John,
Maybe you press on the F8 too late? Restart the laptop and try tapping on the F8 right away.
April 19th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
I have an Dell Inspiron 1501.
I tryed using F8 or even + F11 as everyone normally do. The Dell Factory Image Restore Partition is in my laptop hd. I can explore it but not access from the boot menu. When I start it, it goes direct to the windows menu, not allowing me to use the options that you gave on top of this page.
How can I solve this?
Please!!
April 8th, 2013 at 4:53 am
SPOT ON ….Thanks for your guide.
February 26th, 2013 at 8:50 am
I don’t have the last bit dell factory image I have all the others apart from that?
HELP PLEASE
December 19th, 2012 at 7:29 am
It worked for my laptop model dell xps L502x. Only that the option to be selected was Dell Datasafe Recovery and Emergency Backup. Thanks.
November 26th, 2012 at 9:13 am
im having problems with the step to include the password I have a long time I dont use my laptop and forgot it is there anyway i can recover it
September 24th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
I did the same thing but except for Step 5 where I am suppose to click display image restore but there is a pop up saying my factory image cannot be found. My laptop doesn’t come with a recovery disc. Please help me. Thank you.
August 19th, 2012 at 10:31 am
@ Isisv33,
When you press F12, it should give you the boot menu. Select the CD/DVD drive and press enter. If this doesn’t work, it’s possible your CD/DVD drive not working because it should boot from the disc.
Open up the CD/DVD drive and clean the lens with a cotton swab and alcohol. Make sure the installation disc is clean.
If the CD/DVD drive failed, here’s what you can try:
1. Download WinToFlash utility and create bootable USB memory stick.
2. Try installing Windows OS from the USB stick. I tried it once and it worked perfectly for me on a laptop without CD/DVD drive.
August 18th, 2012 at 7:24 am
Hi again,
I wanted to give the information on the other screen I am an pull up . The other screen I get is Edit boot Options the line read.
Edit window boot options for:microst windows vista
Path: \windows\system32\winload.exe
Partition: 1
Hard Drive: 80
[/NOEXECUTE=OPTIN. "youcan erase or type on this line but no matter what I've typed nothing works"]
Then at the bottom of the screen it says Enter=Submit Esc=Cancel