Problem doing a Factory Restore with Vista Home Premium SP2

Boracic-lint_2

Dell Inspiron 1545

I have gone down the Boot/F8 route and got the Advanced Boot Options window, but there is no 'Repair your Computer' option.
The first option on the list is 'Safe Mode'.

I was hoping to do the above and then use Ccleaner to 'Wipe Free Space' and then 'Overwrite Free Space'.

Is there another way to delete files, photos etc? I have backed up to an external hard drive everything I want saved.

Thanks
B-l.

bluesnake

have a read here
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/repair-windows-with-windows-startup-repair/

GunJack

Boracic-lint wrote: »

Dell Inspiron 1545

I have gone down the Boot/F8 route and got the Advanced Boot Options window, but there is no 'Repair your Computer' option.
The first option on the list is 'Safe Mode'.

I was hoping to do the above and then use Ccleaner to 'Wipe Free Space' and then 'Overwrite Free Space'.

Is there another way to delete files, photos etc? I have backed up to an external hard drive everything I want saved.

Thanks
B-l.

yes, just delete them all, then run CCleaner, then wipe free space....no need to wipe the hdd to do what you require

Boracic-lint_2

Hi bluesnake
I had a read, but I don't have a problem starting the computer.
In any case I would fall at the first hurdle as I don't have the DVD.

Thanks aynway
B-l

Boracic-lint_2

OK GunJack will have a go.
Do I just open 'C' drive and delete the unwanted, or are there other areas to search and delete?

Boracic-lint_2

I should add that I plan to sell this Lappy and so am being extra cautious.

NiftyDigits

Go to DELL Support and follow the instructions to update the BIOS. Here

Double check that yours is the Inspiron 1545 before going forward.

Then buy one of these for a tenner to install genuine Windows 7 Professional to the machine. Which will in turn allow the installation of Windows 10 Professional.
In fact you don't need to buy that disc, but you might want to bundle it with the machine when selling it. You might get a bit more for a machine with Windows 7, as it's more desirable than Vista.
If you've 4GB of RAM installed, you might look for the 64 bit version of the DELL disc.

GunJack

Boracic-lint wrote: »

OK GunJack will have a go.
Do I just open 'C' drive and delete the unwanted, or are there other areas to search and delete?

If you don't go down Nifty's route for W7 (way better and more sellable than Vista, btw, might be worth a tenner ) then look in C drive, each user profile's Documents and it's sub-folders, any pics/docs left on the desktop.... the usual places.

Boracic-lint_2

Thanks Guys
That's my weekend sorted.
Big learning curve for me. Everything's crossed.

Boracic-lint_2

I have updated the BIOS.
I run 'Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor' which said I can upgrade to 32-bit Windows 7 Home Premium or Ultimate.
Will either of these upgrades be suitable to allow a Windows 10 upgrade?

NiftyDigits

Boracic-lint wrote: »

I have updated the BIOS.
I run 'Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor' which said I can upgrade to 32-bit Windows 7 Home Premium or Ultimate.
Will either of these upgrades be suitable to allow a Windows 10 upgrade?

(Text removed by MSE Forum Team)

Forget about the upgrade advisor and stick to my instructions. You will need to run a clean install, not an upgrade.
If the machine was going to stay in your household, I would help you with the disc, but as you intend to sell it, you may wish to supply that DELL disc with the machine. It's probably already sold if you didn't already purchase it.
Now more expensive here 16€

A 64bit version is more desirable, as some will wish to install 4GB of RAM. But they are rarely found for sale cheaply these days.