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    restore vista on inspiron 1720 when 'OS' partition is blanked?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by kissnoob, Aug 27, 2008.

  1. kissnoob

    kissnoob Notebook Enthusiast

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    All partitions are still intact. Partitions are original from Dell.

    When I tried to do restore through 'F8', the process failed right after it wipe out the 'OS' partition. Now my 'OS' partition is blanked. I can't boot into vista to use 'F8'

    Partitions structure is still intact and all data on Dell restore partition still exists.

    Is there any way to restore by NOT using 'F8'?

    I tried to reinstall vista again by using Dell OS CD. I went well, but on this new installation, 'F8' no longer shows the option to restore. It only shows safe mode, safe mode with networking etc...

    It is not issue to me to reinstall vista. However, I really want to keep and using the Dell restore partition.

    Any one has experience on this?
     
    kissnoob, Aug 27, 2008
    #1
  2. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    When you used the restore CD you changed the MBR and it no longer recognizes the restore partition. You will need to repair the MBR with your Dell Media Direct CD.
     
    atbnet, Aug 28, 2008
    #2
  3. hawkman-1

    hawkman-1 Notebook Guru

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    On the recovery partition in the tools folder there is a file called PCRestore.exe I have not tried it but my bet would be it will restore to factory.
     
    hawkman-1, Aug 28, 2008
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  4. madoon

    madoon Notebook Consultant

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    if your using windows vista, get your cd. and the there is an option to repair the computer, it should try to find the problem and fix it. if it does and you get in back to windows, i suggest the first thing you do is back up all your data..
     
    madoon, Sep 1, 2008
    #4