Hello,
- I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place; I hope so
My problem is
* I have a DELL Dimension 3100 (purchased in 2006).
* My Windows XP Home crashed (seemingly because of malware)
* I've installed another Windows - parallely - on my second HDD. It's only temporary solution: what I'm going to do is move all my data from C: and re-install Windows on my primary HDD
* I heard that Dell computers (including desktops) provide the "System Restore" option - restoring the operating system to the out-of-the-box state, from hidden partition.
* It doesn't seem to work though: I'm pressing Ctrl+F11 (I tried F11 as well) when the computer is booting up, but it doesn't do anything.
* I haven't found any "recovery disc", nor a Windows disc among the CDs I have got.
I'm not sure if the computer was shipped with anything of that sort (I can't remember), I have to assume it wasn't.
* I know that I can, and perhaps I should contact the Dell support, but I hoped I could get a quick answer here...
My questions, precisely, are:
1. How can I check whether I have this hidden "system recovery" partition at all?
(I've certainly never removed it, since until now I haven't even known such a thing may exist).
2. Do I need any CD to perform this System Recovery?
Thanks in advance for any help
PS. I tried to search the forum first, but with every attempt I was ending up on the http://www.techsupportforum.com/search.php?do=process site with a blank screen (then I have to wait 1 minute, after which the whole thing repeats - :normal.
- I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place; I hope so
My problem is
* I have a DELL Dimension 3100 (purchased in 2006).
* My Windows XP Home crashed (seemingly because of malware)
* I've installed another Windows - parallely - on my second HDD. It's only temporary solution: what I'm going to do is move all my data from C: and re-install Windows on my primary HDD
* I heard that Dell computers (including desktops) provide the "System Restore" option - restoring the operating system to the out-of-the-box state, from hidden partition.
* It doesn't seem to work though: I'm pressing Ctrl+F11 (I tried F11 as well) when the computer is booting up, but it doesn't do anything.
* I haven't found any "recovery disc", nor a Windows disc among the CDs I have got.
I'm not sure if the computer was shipped with anything of that sort (I can't remember), I have to assume it wasn't.
* I know that I can, and perhaps I should contact the Dell support, but I hoped I could get a quick answer here...
My questions, precisely, are:
1. How can I check whether I have this hidden "system recovery" partition at all?
(I've certainly never removed it, since until now I haven't even known such a thing may exist).
2. Do I need any CD to perform this System Recovery?
Thanks in advance for any help
PS. I tried to search the forum first, but with every attempt I was ending up on the http://www.techsupportforum.com/search.php?do=process site with a blank screen (then I have to wait 1 minute, after which the whole thing repeats - :normal.