1. Step 1: Backup important files & data.
   
2. Step 2: Remove non-essential peripherals
   
3. Step 3: Restore the computer's software to original condition.
   
4. Step 4: Restore your personal files and data from backups.
   

Step 1:

Backup important files and data.

The Files & Settings Transfer Wizard will automatically collect and save the files in your My Documents folder, including your Music, Pictures and Videos folders. Additionally, the wizard will collect and save the files on your desktop and in your Shared Documents and Shared Desktop folders (if more than one person share files on different user accounts on your computer).

1      Click

start

, point to All Programs , point to  Accessories, point to  System Tools and click  Files & Settings Transfer Wizard.

2      Select Old Computer and click

Next >

.

This selection will specify that this is the computer you want to back up your important files and settings from. The wizard may take a moment to prepare for the next step.

3      Select your transfer method, from one of the following selections:

 Floppy drive or other removable media (Recommended) - select this option if you have a USB memory key, USB hard drive, CD or DVD writable drive and blank discs.

 Other - select this option if you are on a home network and can save your files to another computer or shared network drive.

Once selected, click

Next >

.

4      Select Files Only and click

Next >

.

The wizard will begin collecting and saving your files to the specified location. If you specified a removable drive, the wizard may prompt you to enter an additional blank disc if more than one is necessary to hold all your files. Be sure to label your discs thoroughly (such as "My Files Disc 1" etc.) so you can quickly restore them later.

5      Once completed, click

Finish

 to close the wizard.

You are now ready to proceed with the next step.

 Notice:

For additional resources to help resolve issues not covered under Dell's limited hardware warranty, click here.

Step 2:

Remove non-essential peripherals

Except for the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, remove all external peripherals including:

 Note:

An external peripheral is a device that connects to a port on the front, side or back of the computer, like a printer or memory key.

• Scanner
• Printer
• Modem or Network cables
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
• USB flash drive or other external Hard Drive
• Any other external devices (e.g., USB-attached devices)
• Remove the computer from the docking station, if you are using one.

Step 3:

Restore the computer's software to original condition.

Using PC Restore in Windows XP or Media Center

	Notice:
	Restoring the original factory image erases ALL existing data. This includes files, folders, programs, drivers, E-mails, photos. Before performing a PC Restore, back up all personal files. If you do not back up your personal files, the data will be lost.

1   Turn on the computer.

2   When the Dell splash screen appears during the computer startup process, press and hold <Ctrl> and then press <F11>. Then, release both keys at the same time.

 Note:

Some systems like Inspiron Mini 9 (910) do not support System Restore as they do not have <F11> nor any substitute.
If the key strokes are not working or you do not have PC Restore any more. You will have to do a manual reinstall. Click here for manual installation instructions.

3   In the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window, click Restore. Alternatively, press <Tab> to highlight Restore, and then press <Enter>.

4   When a warning message appears stating that all data will be lost, click Confirm, or press <Tab> to highlight Confirm and then press <Enter>.

The Progress window will appear. Once the restore process starts, Dell PC Restore by Symantec usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to finish.

When the restore process is complete, the following message will appear:
The system recovery process was successful.

5   Click Finish or press <Tab> to highlight Finish and then press <Enter> to restart the computer.

Using Dell Factory Image Restore in Windows Vista

	Notice:
	Restoring the original factory image erases ALL existing data. This includes files, folders, programs, drivers, E-mails, photos. Before performing a PC Restore, back up all personal files. If you do not back up your personal files, the data will be lost.

1    Turn on the computer.

---

2   As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.

	Note:
	You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.

---

3    Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.

---

4    Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.

---

5    Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.

---

6    Click Dell Factory Image Restore.

---

7    In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.

---

8    Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.

---

9    Click Next. 
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.

---

10    When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.

The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.

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Step 4:

Restore your personal files and data from backups

Backup will restore the files to your computer. If you are restoring from a removable drive and used more than one blank disc, Backup will prompt you to enter the next disc in the set as necessary. Depending on the number of files and their sizes, this process may take several minutes.

1      Click

start

, point to All Programs , point to  Accessories, point to  System Tools and click  Files & Settings Transfer Wizard.

2      Select New Computer and click

Next >

.

This selection will specify that this is the computer you want to restore your files to.

3      In the Do you have your Windows XP CD? window, select  I don't need the Wizard disk... then click

Next >

.

4      Select the same location you previously used to save the backup files to. If you saved the backup to a CD or DVD, insert that disc in the drive now. If you used more than one disk, enter the first disk in the set. Then click

Next >

.

The wizard will begin to restore the saved files to the locations they were found originally before the backup. Depending on the number of files and their sizes, this could take several minutes. If you saved the backup to CDs or DVDs, the wizard will prompt you when to enter the next disc.

5      Once completed, click

Finish

 to close the wizard.

Your files are now restored.

 Notice:

For additional resources to help resolve issues not covered under Dell's limited hardware warranty, click here.