Hello, i have a dell xps m1210 laptop. i was using my computer and when i want to restore to factory settings i was using ctrl f11 combination and restoring back. but i now installed windows 7 on c drive. i did not delete the other hidden 3 partitions. i want to turn back to windows xp but ctrl f11 does not work and so the original recovery software doesnt work. only media direct is working. did windows 7 make changes on my hidden partitions even i can still see them on disk management? how can i turn back again to factory system?

Dell XP = Ctrl+F11
Dell Vista = F8
EEEPC = Esc
Compaq = F11
HP Desktop Vista = F11
Emachine = F10
Acer = Alt+F10

Every manufacture has or uses different Function Key combinations to do a Factory Default Recovery. .

follow this blog-reset factory settings

If you need any kind of technical assistance ,you can contact support cell at http://www.vtechsquad.com

Please restart the laptop and hit the following key during the dell screen boot up phase depending on the os that is installed on your laptop. For vista systems it is F8. XP systems Ctrl-F11 to run the pc restore.

*Note this solution will only work if you have not removed your original restore partition by installing another os over it.

Let me know if you need any further help.

Try either F8 or F11 keys
or CTRL and F11 together at start up

One way is through dell.com as they carry restore disks for your laptop. These are dvd's which put your system back to the way you purchased it. If your under warranty they're free if not there's probably a charge.

The PC-Restore Image can be accessed by pressing CTRL+F11 immediately after the Dell Splash screen (At the screen with a blue bar with www.dell.com in white letters across the top of the screen) this will initiate PC-Restore by Symantec and allow you to re-image the system to out of box condition (ALL DATA on SYSTEM WILL BE LOST)
If the restore image is not available or errors out, then you will need to re-install OS from the Windows CD that came with the system.

The best way is with the Operating system disc and do a fresh install, thus wiping all installed programs and data files.

Look Dell Computers comes with a operating system image inside ur hard drive.if ur using windows xp then restart the computer and as soon as u see the dell logo start pressing CTRL+F11.u will get an option where u will be asked to restore the computer to dell original factory settings,{u might come up with a screen where u have to choose the administrator account and also choose language as english US,and keyboard},continue along with the prompt and it will take 9-10 min and it will automatically restart and u have to set up the computer again as u did when u got the computer first from dell.If ur using windows vista u have to press F8 as soon as it restarts,you will see "repair my computer",,then "restore my computer to dell original settings.
Look u might not be able to get to the desired screen,but dnt lose hope,its very natural,,very few persons go to that screen in the first go,,i was a dell resolution specialist.so i know tat.plz reply in case it gets solved

Okay, do as follows.

(a) Boot the computer. When you see a blue bar with www.dell.com on the screen, hit Ctrl + F11.
(b) On the next screen, click "Restore".
(c) Next, click "Confirm".
(d) Let the restore process run. It will probably take 10-ish minutes. Don't touch it while it's doing it's thing.
(e) When prompted, click "Finish" to reboot the computer.
(f) When prompted, click "Yes".
(g) When prompted, click "Next".
(h) After the computer restarts, click "OK".

hi,

If you have a dell computer, you can restore your computer back to factory settings using CTRL+F11. You need to restart the computer and when you see the Dell logo. Press CTRL+F11. You will see the message "PC RESTORE"

You may reinstall your operating system using the cd if your system doesn't have the capability to restore settings to factory. You may call you computer manufacturer about it.

Keep me posted.

Thanks.