Can't Access Dell Recovery Partition

Rich M · #1 March 14th, 2006, 11:57 PM

Well if this doesn't beat all. Client buys new Dell E310 PC and it is so incredibly buggerred up in 3 months there is no way to save it from virus and spyware.
Dell will not tell you how to access recoivery partition as they say software tech support costs money. There is nothing I can see to tell me how to access it. I know it is there as I can see 4300 meg partition as Drive I when using an XP CD to try to repair, but no way to repair it as the option isn't offerred and no command I can see to start the recovery partition. Anyone know how to access it and whether or not is wipes files and data or only system as HP does?

**Miz** · #2 March 15th, 2006, 12:46 AM

According to Dell: "If you purchased the Dell DataSafe option when you ordered your computer, you can use it to roll back the system to a healthy state.

Use the Norton Ghost 10 user interface to restore data that has been backed up to the DataSafe partition.
For information on how to utilize Ghost 10 for your backup and restore needs, refer to Symantec's support for:

Norton Ghost 10

If you need to recover from a complete hard drive failure and have DataSafe, then you only have to replace the failing drive. The RAID BIOS will detect the new drive and then automatically rebuild the new drive."

Rich M · #3 March 15th, 2006, 01:04 AM

Miz,
Are you saying I can access the partition with Ghost 10 rescue disk?

**Miz** · #4 March 15th, 2006, 02:51 AM

That's what it looks like to me. However, I have zero experience with either Ghost or Dell's DataSafe.

Rich M · #5 March 15th, 2006, 03:37 AM

Well Ghost rescue cd finds nothing...so now I will wipe partition and see if I reboot anything exciting happens like bios rebuilding the drive.

jayt · #6 March 15th, 2006, 05:19 AM

If the Dell has the Symantec restore partitition (and by your description it sounds as if it does), (Dell Restore by Symantec is available on Dimension and Inspirion systems that shipped on or after 7/16/2004 in the Americas), to access the partition:
1. Power the computer on
2. When the Dell screen appears press and hold the <Ctrl> key on the keyboard, press the <F11> key, then release them both at the same time.
The Dell Restore by Symantec window appears.
NOTE: Press the keys only one time. If you press them more than once, a keyboard error occurs and the process has to be initiated again.

3.Click the Restore button or press the <Tab> key to highlight Restore and press the enter key.
A caution message appears advising that all data will be lost.
4.Click the Confirm button or press the <Tab> key to highlight Confirm and press the enter key.
The Progress window appears. Once the process is begun, Dell PC Restore usually takes only 8 to 10 minutes to complete.
When the restore is complete, the message The system recovery process was successful appears.
5. Click the Finish button or press <Tab> key to highlight Finish and press the <Enter> key.
The computer will restart.
Your software is now as it was when you first received your computer.

NOTE: After the Operating System has been restored, it is important to run Windows Update as soon as possible to bring the system to the latest level of security.

Hope this helps.

Rich M · #7 March 15th, 2006, 06:03 AM

Thank you so much!!!!

jayt · #8 March 15th, 2006, 03:35 PM

You are very welcome. Glad to help anyone--especially a fellow Pennsylvanian

Rich M · #9 March 15th, 2006, 05:57 PM

Hey I didn't notice that...but guess what? It didn't work. There must be a trigger in the bios those clowns set to deactivate it if they don't buy the option.

jayt · #10 March 16th, 2006, 12:07 AM

Actually, you don't have to buy the option. It comes installed in lieu of the Dell Restore Disc, which costs an extra $10.00 if you opt to buy it.

Rich M · #11 March 16th, 2006, 12:12 AM

yeah well how come it doesn't work then. I have tried what you said 12 times and I know the partition is there and I know the size.

**Miz** · #12 March 16th, 2006, 12:22 AM

I vaguely remember reading on the Dell site when I was looking for what I pasted in my first post in this thread that the DataSafe feature has to be activated. Apparently, the owner of that Dell didn't do that when the message popped up asking if he/she wanted to turn it on.

Naturally, I can't find that information again.

mtbird · #13 March 16th, 2006, 12:30 AM

Rich, I found this bit of info on their forums. I don't know if it will help you.

The last bit of protection is the hidden partition at the end of the drive which houses a ghost copy of the factory image as well as the ghost recovery OS, accessible by pressing 'control+F11' at boot or by double clicking the 'boot_dsr.exe' file in the c/dell/utilities/dsr folder. This boots the ghost recovery environment (based on WinPE). From here, you can take the ghost files on D: and use them to recover your C: back to any point in time when you took a ghost image. This means you should be able to recover your system even if your C: becomes unbootable.

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportfor...d=830553#M4682

I'm inclined to think as Miz and it wasn't setup originally.

jayt · #14 March 16th, 2006, 01:59 AM

You might want to read this:

http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/index.htm

and this:

http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/fixes.htm

and this:
http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/recover.htm

Rich M · #15 March 16th, 2006, 05:12 AM

Thanks so much Miz and guys , I'm sure the answer is in there now...