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Clean re-install on a dell mini
Hi
I want to do a clean re-install on my dell mini.
What is the process ?
Thanks
I want to do a clean re-install on my dell mini.
What is the process ?
Thanks
Asked:
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13
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2- +2
1 Solution
Take a look at this:
http://www.tweaksforgeeks.com/tips/2011/01/restore-dell-inspiron-mini-10-to-factory-settings
If this doesn't work:
If you have an external optical drive you should be able to boot from that.
Or else what I've done with Netbook computers to do a restore is create a bootable flash drive with the Windows OS on it and do my reinstall.
You will need a flash drive that is at least 4 gig.
http://www.tweaksforgeeks.com/tips/2011/01/restore-dell-inspiron-mini-10-to-factory-settings
If this doesn't work:
If you have an external optical drive you should be able to boot from that.
Or else what I've done with Netbook computers to do a restore is create a bootable flash drive with the Windows OS on it and do my reinstall.
You will need a flash drive that is at least 4 gig.
OK I connected an external drive
and the original windows 7 cd in it
what should do to boot from the cd?
(I have the mini 12 I tried f8 ,f12 no option to boot from cd)
and the original windows 7 cd in it
what should do to boot from the cd?
(I have the mini 12 I tried f8 ,f12 no option to boot from cd)
The mini is runing
The cd is showing
The problem is I don't see how to boot from cd.
Or should I start the disc, to install windows 7 when the mini is fully started?
The cd is showing
The problem is I don't see how to boot from cd.
Or should I start the disc, to install windows 7 when the mini is fully started?
I have the earlier mini, but mine gets you into setup by pressing "2". Once there, make sure the boot sequence has USB and/or CD/DVD before your hard drive.
On yours, are you saying that you can't get into setup? Setup is where you'll need to make the boot order switch. Whatever key it says to press for "setup" at the initial boot screen is what you need to press. Keep in mind that you only have a few seconds to press it. By the time you read which key to press, the opportunity will have passed. Make note of it and reboot, pressing the requisite key immediately upon reboot.
On yours, are you saying that you can't get into setup? Setup is where you'll need to make the boot order switch. Whatever key it says to press for "setup" at the initial boot screen is what you need to press. Keep in mind that you only have a few seconds to press it. By the time you read which key to press, the opportunity will have passed. Make note of it and reboot, pressing the requisite key immediately upon reboot.
if I do F2 it goes in set up
if I do F12 it goes to boot
in boot menu :
*hard Drive
CD\DVD\BD-ROM
Removable Devices
Diagnostic
But none of those start boot from the External dvd
(When the computer is running I see the external dvd in "my computer" with windows 7in it so the cable is working )
if I do F12 it goes to boot
in boot menu :
*hard Drive
CD\DVD\BD-ROM
Removable Devices
Diagnostic
But none of those start boot from the External dvd
(When the computer is running I see the external dvd in "my computer" with windows 7in it so the cable is working )
I see only the options see above in boot menu , I tried each of them but it doesn't start the external drive
it only gives me the option to go in safe mode
it only gives me the option to go in safe mode
I got mine to work by putting removable devices first, then I put CD/DVD/BD-ROM, then hard drive after that. But if you've tried that already, I'm not sure what's going on. Did you ever see the "press any key to boot ... " message? It doesn't last very long on this system (about 3-5 seconds is all ... easy to miss).
When I choose external device I I have :
Safe mode
Safe mode with networking
Safe mode with command prompt
Or start normally
Safe mode
Safe mode with networking
Safe mode with command prompt
Or start normally
When I choose hard drive it gives me the option:
WDC XXXXXXXXXX-XXXXXXX-(xx)
The x being letters and numbers
WDC XXXXXXXXXX-XXXXXXX-(xx)
The x being letters and numbers
here how to restore it it to factory settings; i hope it helps : http://en.kioskea.net/faq/4189-dell-laptops-restore-factory-settings
here what they say on page 53 of your manual : http://www.dell.com/support/Manuals/us/en/19/Product/inspiron-mini1012
Reinstalling Microsoft Windows
The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After you reinstall the operating system, you must also reinstall the device drivers, virus protection program, and other software.
Save and close any open files and exit any 1. open programs.
Insert the 2. Operating System disc.
Click 3. Exit if the Install Windows message appears.
Restart the computer.4.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> 5. immediately.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop; then, shut down your computer and try again.
NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup program.
When the boot device list appears, highlight 6. CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive and press <Enter>.
Press any key to 7. Boot from CD-ROM.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
here what they say on page 53 of your manual : http://www.dell.com/support/Manuals/us/en/19/Product/inspiron-mini1012
Reinstalling Microsoft Windows
The reinstallation process can take 1 to 2 hours to complete. After you reinstall the operating system, you must also reinstall the device drivers, virus protection program, and other software.
Save and close any open files and exit any 1. open programs.
Insert the 2. Operating System disc.
Click 3. Exit if the Install Windows message appears.
Restart the computer.4.
When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> 5. immediately.
NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft® Windows® desktop; then, shut down your computer and try again.
NOTE: The next steps change the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in the system setup program.
When the boot device list appears, highlight 6. CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive and press <Enter>.
Press any key to 7. Boot from CD-ROM.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
Ok I did that , thanks!
C drive had 3 partions
1 OEM reserved
2 empty 14GB
3 218GB
I tried to install on 3 but it didn't work
I installed windows on 2 it did work
but #3 show only 118 GB available out of the 218GB
! see there some files from my old programs but there is no program install
I tried to format that partition but couldn't
So as now I have the new install of windows on C but only half of my partition (called D now)
How could I format that D part?
C drive had 3 partions
1 OEM reserved
2 empty 14GB
3 218GB
I tried to install on 3 but it didn't work
I installed windows on 2 it did work
but #3 show only 118 GB available out of the 218GB
! see there some files from my old programs but there is no program install
I tried to format that partition but couldn't
So as now I have the new install of windows on C but only half of my partition (called D now)
How could I format that D part?
ok I finally got it to work but I don`t have wireless anymore
I download all I could from the cd and dell website but still don't have it
I download all I could from the cd and dell website but still don't have it
how did you get it to work?
>> I don`t have wireless << is the wireless showing in device mananger - with an error, or under unknown devices?
>> I don`t have wireless << is the wireless showing in device mananger - with an error, or under unknown devices?
I finally try another cable (like you suggested above)
Witch is strange since I was using cable # 1 since a while without problems and it still working when I use the external drive to burn data etc..
Deleted c and retry on D , it worked this time
I still have 177 GB out of the 218GB so it still looks like there is some missing here.
For the wireless part I upload all drivers from Dell, it still wasn't working.
Then I upload all windows updates ( I think it was l like 269 updates) and now wireless is working fine
Thanks a lot for yourhelp
Witch is strange since I was using cable # 1 since a while without problems and it still working when I use the external drive to burn data etc..
Deleted c and retry on D , it worked this time
I still have 177 GB out of the 218GB so it still looks like there is some missing here.
For the wireless part I upload all drivers from Dell, it still wasn't working.
Then I upload all windows updates ( I think it was l like 269 updates) and now wireless is working fine
Thanks a lot for yourhelp
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