Question

Restoring a Dell Dimension 4600 without the Restore CDs

Asked by: Rwatking

I have a client with a Dell Dimension 4600 PC which has acquired a number of deep seated spyware infections. The probability exists that we will need to restore the machine BUT he's lost the restore CDs that he originally had with the machine. We can get the drivers from the Dell Web site BUT what about the operating system CD? He is prepared to buy a new Windows XP Home operating system if necessary. Is this likely to be OK. What sort of issues do we need to look out for? We'd appreciate your help.

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Asked On
2007-01-17 at 01:03:07ID22125444
Tags

dell

,

dimension

,

4600

,

restore

Topics

General Computer Systems

,

Personal Computers

Participating Experts
6
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: WallDPosted on 2007-01-17 at 01:50:56ID: 18330778

Is the restore partition no longer available? usually accesible via an option in the startup screen i.e. f10 at startup , if you can boot into that you may be able to retsore the system to as it was when the machine was bought.

If you check the hard drive you may find a hidden partition that has all the files you require on it, if you can get into the machine you may find a link within the settings to create the recovery disk yourself.

If you have a valid COA you should just be able to get a copy of Windows XP media from your supplier rather than a new copy of XP, (which will be cheaper)

David

 

by: nobusPosted on 2007-01-17 at 04:14:02ID: 18331476

Look if this helps :
http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/fixes.htm
from this link :
http://forums.devshed.com/windows-help-34/dell-system-restore-without-cd-363727.html

When I purchased a Dell machine at work, it came with Windows XP Pro pre-installed with no recovery CD or CD-R or anything. They just said that you had to use the built-in recovery console. I told them that I paid for a copy of Windows XP at the time of purchase and I would like the proper media. After a day or two of complaining, they eventually sent me an actual Windows XP disc (not a Dell branded one).

 

by: lnkevinPosted on 2007-01-17 at 05:56:49ID: 18332096

I am with nobus. I had a laptop with the same situation. I called Dell and got the installation CD sent over mail in 3 days. However, in your case, if your PC still under warranty, you can call and request for a restoration disk. If your PC is out of warranty, you just have to hit Control+F11 during reboot to recover your image from hidden Ghost image. If you already format your HD, you then buy a copy of XP on your own.

K

 

by: thomaswrightPosted on 2007-01-17 at 20:28:22ID: 18338277

Try this:

1. Boot With a Windows XP CD (the same version as the sticker on the machine) (ie Windows XP Home or Home SP2 etc)
2. Continue with the install using the repair option when it asks weather you want to install a new instance or repair the existing instance.
3. Enter in the CD KEY on the Machine's Sticker.
    (It doesn't accept it, you have the wrong verson oem cd)
4. It will eventually be asked to activate your copy of windows. If you are lucky enough for Windows XP to have automatically recognized the nic, you are golden (unless it has been activated to many time). If it doesn't recognize the nic, use the teleophone option and follow the instructions. The voice prompts will give you an authentication code to type in to activate it.
 
I hope this helps.

 

by: smiffy13Posted on 2007-01-20 at 05:23:22ID: 18356171

The biggest issue I've found is identifying the correct drivers from Dell to complete the installation if you don't use the recovery CD's. Dell don't use the same hardware in each model for devices such as audio, video, modems etc. The driver page for this model is here: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/devices.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=DIM_P4_4600&os=WW1&osl=EN#

Once you've downloaded the driver, you need to unpack it and then install it, this all takes time if you are running as a commercial enterprise and are charging for your time. If the PC currently does boot, then install Belarc: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html so at least you get the correct drivers first time round.

The cheapest version of windows I've found is XP Pro Upgrade Academic. The disc should recognise that you have Windows installed already so won't ask you for a previous eligible disk, if it does ask, make sure you've got a W/98 SE disc handy.

Finally, if it's only spyware that's the problem, I've found running Superantispyware has removed removed spyware that used to cause me hours of work: http://www.superantispyware.com/

 

by: RwatkingPosted on 2007-02-03 at 05:55:20ID: 18459152

Many thanks everyone

Dell were helpful eventually (at a cost of £50!!) The machine was too old to have a restore partition so we had to use an XP disk that I had previously used for a different machine. Dell provided guidance on finding relevant drivers (available on their Web site by entering the Support Tag printed on the side of the machine) and Microsoft activated the software on application over the telephone.

Many thanks to everyone for your help.

 

by: ksjon_techPosted on 2010-02-09 at 04:48:18ID: 26523497

I can confirm that this computer HAS a recovery partition.

hold CTRL and spam F11 during and a little after the BIOS boot. (it should say something about PBR, booting recovery partition).

i was on my own search to find out how to activate the partition, since  i saw in Diskpart that there was an unknown partition on about 3gb.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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