Restoring After ME Reinstall

[goldenmean]

I used the ME Reinstallation CD that came with my Dell and followed the instructions, including saving a backup image in case I wanted to return to my previous settings. The reinstall did not fix the problem, so I want to return to what I had because I want my old settings restored. I cannot find a way to restore to that time. Once I reinstalled, my restore points were lost. Where is the backup image and how do I restore it?

[degsy]

Welcome :)

When did you save the image and what process did it go through.

You may need to run the Dell Recovery CD and it will have a point to restore.

[goldenmean]

I used the Dell CD for ME Reinstallation. It led me through the steps and, at one point, asked if I wanted to back up my files and, if so, it would require about 150 MB. I answered "yes," and it appeared to back them up. The reinstall did not fix my problem, which is a "kernal32.dll" error that is keeping me from running IE. So now I have the same error and I have lost some settings. My thought was that it would partition the drive and protect it in case I needed to return to the previous settings, which is the reason why it recommended the backup. I cannot find the files anywhere and am beginning to believe that they were not backed up at all...:upset:

[JoJo Gunn]

I'm not familiar with Dell, so I wonder if the wording meant reinstalling Windows over itself? If that's so, then you wouldn't lose anything in My Documents, but basically you've gone back to the beginning. Any Windows tweaks are gone.

It's been my experience that a reinstall without a format is a hit and miss affair concerning programs and even Windows files. (Norton NIS is a prime example :rolleyes: ). I'm no Einstein, but it seems to me that Windows is trying to read from the damaged registry you thought you were fixing when you reinstalled.

If you're able, backup everything to a CD and do a complete format and reinstall. Otherwise what you have is a house of cards.