Dell 1011 Netbook - restore to original settings

ChiefGrasscutter

Google tells me that ctrl F11 is the access for the recovery partition pressed quite literally as soon as the Dell blue bar appears - on this machine.

F2 and F12 won't help and it won't be in those sections.

I've used the general factory restore on a Dell dimension desktop (different access keys are used) and the computer swaps direct and instantly into a special program held on the recovery partition and totally seperate from any normal boot up sequence.
Computer goes back to the day you first switched it on as I recall - once you have confirmed several times that you really really really do want to do this.

Sorry, but can't be anymore help on this

macman

Is there a recovery partition on your netbook? Open 'Computer', you should have a C drive and a D drive. The recovery partition being the latter.
You need to tap F11 steadily (about once a second) immediately on boot up.

ChiefGrasscutter

macman wrote: »

Is there a recovery partition on your netbook? Open 'Computer', you should have a C drive and a D drive. The recovery partition being the latter.
You need to tap F11 steadily (about once a second) immediately on boot up.

No,
The recovery partition will be hidden - totally
You will not be able to see in in windows.
That way the user of the Dell cannot accidently muck about with it and damage it/remove files......
I suspect users would need a proper "disk doctor" type program to be able to see it.

I do not discount that the recovery partition on this particular machine might have been damaged or (deleted by some smart***** who thinks they know what they are doing but doesn't)

Debs0778

Thanks - I'd seen the instructions on google myself but it just wasnt doing anything.

I've just tried starting up and F11 again (tapping steadily as you said) but it's just started up as normal.

The C Drive is - OS and the D Drive is seperate, says removeable disk

Thanks for taking the time on this - I'm annoying myself with it now!

stilltheone

You hit Ctrl + F11 after the DELL screen and blue bar appears...closest to what CGC has written.

stilltheone

Debs0778 wrote: »

Thanks for trying but F11 isnt doing anything - I've tried Ctrl F11 too but nought.

At the bottom right hand side of the screen when the Dell Blue Bar is there it says:

F2 - Set Up
F12 - Boot Options

I've had a look in both, but the option you suggest isnt there

When it gets to this point hold down Ctrl and whilst holding it down, press F11.

Debs0778

Tried holding down ctrl whilst pressing F11 and it still starts as normal

Thanks for trying anyway guys.

CGC - The machine hasnt been tampered with. Althought its 18 months old its been used about 15 times for basic internet surfing only. I'm selling as it's just a waste, I dont use it so obviously dont need it

stilltheone

Debs0778 wrote: »

Tried holding down ctrl whilst pressing F11 and it still starts as normal

Thanks for trying anyway guys.

CGC - The machine hasnt been tampered with. Althought its 18 months old its been used about 15 times for basic internet surfing only. I'm selling as it's just a waste, I dont use it so obviously dont need it

Are you doing it at the right point? Did the Netbook come with any CDs?

Debs0778

Pretty sure I am - immediately on Start Up when the Dell Logo and Blue Bar appears.

I can get it to do F2, 12 and 8 - details in earlier posts

Yes, it did come with CD's - I dont have a PC at home though

stilltheone

Debs0778 wrote: »

Pretty sure I am - immediately on Start Up when the Dell Logo and Blue Bar appears.

I can get it to do F2, 12 and 8 - details in earlier posts

Yes, it did come with CD's - I dont have a PC at home though

No, not immediately on Startup...wait until the DELL screen is fully loaded. Experiment a little.

If it came with CDs then perhaps there is no Restore Partition. But keep checking to make sure.

What is plugged in to the DELL? An SD Card or USB Flash drive?
So what do you use at home?