I want to reset a PowerEdge R330 to factory defaults: fresh install of OS (Windows Server 2012 R2), wiped HDDs, etc. I have a recovery partition but not sure how to use it..

Most laptops have what is known as a recovery partition on the hard drive. This partition has a mirrored image of the factory-installed original configuration. Check your users manual to see to how access this partition. If you can boot Windows, some manufacturers have set up the ability to do the recovery from the OS. If the OS is so badly messed up that your can't boot to it, there is usually a hotkey combination that you press at bootup to get to the recovery routine. You may also have received or made a set of recovery discs when you purchased the laptop. These can also be used to return the unit to factory fresh condition. If you have neither, you will need to use a Windows 7 Installation Disc. This will install the OS, but will in most cases, not have all the drivers you will need to activate all the installed peripherals such as network NIC, sound, bluetooth, etc. These drivers can be found and downloaded from the manufacturer website. You need to know the Model number of the unit and the OS you are trying to download drivers for.

When you reboot it, you should see the reapir menu option, hit the key indicated there and you should get another menu that allows you to restore your system to factory configuration.

Of course, this all depends upon whether you selected a restore partition when you originally bought the server. if you did not, then you will need the dell install DVD, which will have all of the drivers and will walk you through installing a fresh OS. You will also need the OS disks at that point.

too old hardware ?, more memory or harddrive size

It depends on what type of drive you are using. Plus, you may have to specify the array controller drivers if your are using the SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) drives.

if you wipe ity

create a wipe disc from the internet or just install OS, When new OS is installing, before it does it automatically formats the hdd

1. First Load Windows Recovery environment from Windows 7 or Server 2008 R2
2. Open Diskpart and make problematic partition Active
3. Open bcdedit and you should get something like this:

Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {default}
device unknown <===0xc000000e problem!
path \Windows\system32\winload.exe
description Windows Server 2008 R2
locale en-US
inherit {bootloadersettings}
recoverysequence {e0025536-b36d-11de-aadd-ddc0b5870e2c}
recoveryenabled Yes
osdevice unknown <===0xc000000e problem!
systemroot \Windows
resumeobject {e0025534-b36d-11de-aadd-ddc0b5870e2c}
nx OptOut
hypervisorlaunchtype Auto


4. Enter these commands:

bcdedit /set {Your-OS-Identifier} device partition=X:
bcdedit /set {Your-OS-Identifier} osdevice partition=X:
bcdedit

Where X: - drive letter with your problematic OS in Windows RE. You can find it by opening notepad and pressing save

5. Reboot

if you don't have a copy of the dvd you can try and boot to a recovery partition by tapping f8 @ boot and you should be able to go to 'repair my computer' and hit enter. you can also download the recovery console from the internet and burn it to a cd and run it. good luck

If you need further help, reach me via phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/joel_63c670a84e9f6a97

You forgot to tell us what the Os do youuse.

Well, reference the methods to different systems below:
BreakWindows 7 password
CrackWindows Xp Password
HackWindows Vista Administrator Windows Password

first check ur hard disk connections with the motherboard after thir reinstall windows but before that format the drive in which u r installing ur windows there is no need 2 format other drive

Usually the problem lies with your Software or Windows Installation. The problem is when you Boot your computer it can't read because some how the hard drive got scrambled. You have to Install a fresh windows to solve the problem, no other way around it. Obvioulsy, its no good to you in this condition, Insert your Installation disk and turn the computer off and then back on, Install a new Windows. Good Luck. When the computer asks you if you want to install windows to that drive, you might want to consider if you have to delete that partition, and then create it again, after you do Windows will automatically format the disk for a fresh installation.