Windows 7 Re-installing Without the Original Media

mc962 · May 22, 2014

I recently got an old Dell Mini 1012 from my sister. It came with Windows 7 Starter Edition installed by Dell. Since it has accumulated all the various junk and settings from when she was using it, I wanted to start out fresh. However, this computer came from a time before the makers were kind enough to include a recovery partition with the factory install image (like Lenovo). Any recovery discs have long since been thrown out.

My question is: Is it possible for me to reinstall Windows 7 Starter Edition onto this laptop and, if it is, how would I go about doing so (legally of course). I know how to install an OS, but I don't really know how to reset it to a fresh install without that recovery partition. Maybe some of the Dell bloatware software from that time might help?

JackNaylorPE · May 22, 2014

Off the top of my head .... I have never used a starter edition but in general, you can use any DVD or d/l to install windows and then just activate it using your licensed copy. My experience however is mostly limited to desktops / laptops I or someone else built and OEM Windows Professional. I have redone a few Gateway type machines and such over the years and used OEM versions and the Gateway license code and it worked but that was years ago. Haven't touched a PC or Laptop with a brand name on it in 10 years or so .... therefore not aware id Dell includes soem kind of protection scheme that prevents users from doing that.

But I would say that the "time before the makers were kind enough to include a recovery partition" certainly precedes Windows 7.

Now .... Doing a little web searching

http://www.mydellmini.com/forum/dell-mini-1012/19609-mini-1012-factory-restore-question.html

I have successfully done a F8 factory restore. The instructions are very misleading. The F8 restore function is actually a Windows 7 function, not a dell operation.

The instruction book says to press F8 when the dell screen is displayed - this is incorrect. You must press F8 just after the dell boot screen finishes, before Windows starts. You also have to do a Restart, not a resume as the F8 restore function is not available when just resuming from sleep / hibernation.

pst #13 said the above works

Try pressing CTRL+F11 at the Dell BIOS splash screen - this should boot the recovery image and allow you to restore back to factory settings.

I seem to recall that this was for XP tho

Step 6 Restore a Dell System Running Windows Vista / Win 7

Shutdown and restart your computer. Keep pressing "F8" until you see the "Advanced Boot Options" menu. You must depress the keys before the Windows Logo screen appears. If you wait until after the screen appears and then press "F8", it's too late and you'll have to reboot the system and try again.

Navigate to the "Repair your computer" option

Select the appropriate language and click "Next".

Sign onto the system as an administrator. Without administrative privileges, you will be unable to perform the system restore.

Select "Dell Factory Image Restore" and click "Next".

Place a check in the check box next to the text that says "Yes, reformat hard drive and restore System Software to factory condition" and click "Next".

Click "Finish" to complete the process. This will reboot your computer.

mc962 · May 22, 2014

I managed to reach the F8 menu but after clicking on the Repair option ( the rest of the options were for unrelated stuff), it just went black and then loaded windows normally. I feel like it has something to do with this:"If you have installed another operating system on you Mini then the restore partition will not work anymore.

I had the same problem when I installed Win 7 Ultimate then tried to use the restore partition to go back to Win 7 Starter. I would get to the part where it says repair your computer, but when it asks for a valid partition it cannot find it. After phoning Dell they told me once you install another operating systems it destroys the MBR, thus making the restore partition useless. I have heard that you can use 3rd party software to gain access to the restore partition, but I really didn't want to mess around any more."

Although I doubt she added another OS, so maybe not. Maybe because it was a starter edition they just got lazy and decided to not include the recovery partition, figuring people would just keep their install discs

In the event that I do borrow someone's install disc, then that colorful sticker at the bottom that says product key is THE product key I would enter to reactivate Windows? I've only ever used an install disc so I'm not as sure concerning product stickers on the computer.
Can I download a windows 7 iso without buying it as long as I have my product key, or will that not work?

And in terms of drivers, those should all be downloadable to a usb from Dell's site?

Chances are I'll just use linux anyway, but it would be nice to have a nice fresh windows installation should I need it

Edit* After looking in GParted, it seems like there is indeed a 10 gb recovery partition. However it doesnt show up at all in Windows and the F8 setup doesnt detect anything. For now I'm going to just shrink windows down and use most of the space for Linux, although I am still interested in factory resetting Windows. Is there any way to get at that recovery partition, preferably without having to use complicated 3rd party tools?

mc962 · May 23, 2014

I did manage to find the Windows 7 Disc for ANOTHER dell computer, although I don't think it's the starter edition. Is there a chance this would work or would dell have put weird restrictions on its use as an OS install disc?

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Windows 7 Re-installing Without the Original Media

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