I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to *factory
Condition*.

The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for dome time and I normally just
use the DVD read/write drive instead.

All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."

There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD drive,
just CD-ROM.
Also, this part of the BIOS list is greyed out (BTW, I accessed the BIOS by
pressing F2 whilst restarting) so I don't know if I could change it
anyway...

Assuming that I _could_ change the (greyed out bit of) the BIOS to boot from
a USB Device, and if I copied the whole DEell disc to a memory stick, could
I use that instead?

If not....now what?



Be gentle with me <g>, I've never tried anything like this before...!

FWIW I am also very partially sighted, which makes it all a bit like
climbing Everest!

--
Rog

 

What did Dell support say when you contacted them?

"microsoft.news.com" <zulu.romeotangohotel@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
newshvksUFGLHA.1868@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
: I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to *factory
: Condition*.
:
: The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for dome time and I normally just
: use the DVD read/write drive instead.
:
: All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
: reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."
:
: There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD drive,
: just CD-ROM.
: Also, this part of the BIOS list is greyed out (BTW, I accessed the BIOS
by
: pressing F2 whilst restarting) so I don't know if I could change it
: anyway...
:
: Assuming that I _could_ change the (greyed out bit of) the BIOS to boot
from
: a USB Device, and if I copied the whole DEell disc to a memory stick,
could
: I use that instead?
:
: If not....now what?
:
:
:
: Be gentle with me <g>, I've never tried anything like this before...!
:
: FWIW I am also very partially sighted, which makes it all a bit like
: climbing Everest!
:
: --
: Rog
:
:
:
:
:
:
:

 

"Hoyst Owen Petard" <ho@petard.invalid> wrote in message
news:i0ffsq$vuq$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> What did Dell support say when you contacted them?


Nothing....

I got fed up with waiting on the end of a phone...

>
> "microsoft.news.com" <zulu.romeotangohotel@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> newshvksUFGLHA.1868@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> : I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to *factory
> : Condition*.
> :
> : The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for dome time and I normally
> just
> : use the DVD read/write drive instead.
> :
> : All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
> : reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."
> :
> : There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD
> drive,
> : just CD-ROM.
> : Also, this part of the BIOS list is greyed out (BTW, I accessed the BIOS
> by
> : pressing F2 whilst restarting) so I don't know if I could change it
> : anyway...
> :
> : Assuming that I _could_ change the (greyed out bit of) the BIOS to boot
> from
> : a USB Device, and if I copied the whole DEell disc to a memory stick,
> could
> : I use that instead?
> :
> : If not....now what?
> :
> :
> :
> : Be gentle with me <g>, I've never tried anything like this before...!
> :
> : FWIW I am also very partially sighted, which makes it all a bit like
> : climbing Everest!
> :
> : --
> : Rog
> :
> :
> :
> :
> :
> :
> :
>
>

 

microsoft.news.com wrote:
> I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to
> *factory Condition*.
>
> The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for dome time and I normally
> just use the DVD read/write drive instead.
>
> All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
> reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."
>
> There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD
> drive, just CD-ROM.
> Also, this part of the BIOS list is greyed out (BTW, I accessed the
> BIOS by pressing F2 whilst restarting) so I don't know if I could
> change it anyway...
>
> Assuming that I _could_ change the (greyed out bit of) the BIOS to
> boot from a USB Device, and if I copied the whole DEell disc to a
> memory stick, could I use that instead?
>
> If not....now what?
>
>
>
> Be gentle with me <g>, I've never tried anything like this before...!
>
> FWIW I am also very partially sighted, which makes it all a bit like
> climbing Everest!

I was just going to suggest that you disconnect and scrap your disfunctional
CD drive and make sure that your DVD drive's pins are set to 'Master'
(rather than 'Slave') and try again.

But since you are partially sighted, may be you could get a friend to do
this for you. It is dead simple for someone handy with a screwdriver.

I am naturally taking it for granted that this is a PC you've got rather
than a laptop which don't have provision for two optical drives anyway.
--
choro
*****

 

"choro" <choro@tvco.net> wrote in message
newsFHWn.84193$Yb4.66402@hurricane...
> microsoft.news.com wrote:
>> I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to
>> *factory Condition*.
>>
>> The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for dome time and I normally
>> just use the DVD read/write drive instead.
>>
>> All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
>> reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."
>>
>> There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD
>> drive, just CD-ROM.
>> Also, this part of the BIOS list is greyed out (BTW, I accessed the
>> BIOS by pressing F2 whilst restarting) so I don't know if I could
>> change it anyway...
>>
>> Assuming that I _could_ change the (greyed out bit of) the BIOS to
>> boot from a USB Device, and if I copied the whole DEell disc to a
>> memory stick, could I use that instead?
>>
>> If not....now what?
>>
>>
>>
>> Be gentle with me <g>, I've never tried anything like this before...!
>>
>> FWIW I am also very partially sighted, which makes it all a bit like
>> climbing Everest!
>
> I was just going to suggest that you disconnect and scrap your
> disfunctional CD drive and make sure that your DVD drive's pins are set to
> 'Master' (rather than 'Slave') and try again.

No help available...
Is this the only way?



>
> But since you are partially sighted, may be you could get a friend to do
> this for you. It is dead simple for someone handy with a screwdriver.
>
> I am naturally taking it for granted that this is a PC you've got

Sorry, I though the subject line made that obvious....mea culpa
rather
> than a laptop which don't have provision for two optical drives anyway.
> --
> choro
> *****
>

 

Re: Trying to *Dell Restore* my Dell Dimension XPS 9150 to factorycondition

microsoft.news.com wrote:
> I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to *factory
> Condition*.
>
> The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for dome time and I normally just
> use the DVD read/write drive instead.
>
> All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
> reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."
>
> There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD drive,
> just CD-ROM.
> Also, this part of the BIOS list is greyed out (BTW, I accessed the BIOS by
> pressing F2 whilst restarting) so I don't know if I could change it
> anyway...
>
> Assuming that I _could_ change the (greyed out bit of) the BIOS to boot from
> a USB Device, and if I copied the whole DEell disc to a memory stick, could
> I use that instead?
>
> If not....now what?
>
>
>
> Be gentle with me <g>, I've never tried anything like this before...!
>
> FWIW I am also very partially sighted, which makes it all a bit like
> climbing Everest!
>
> --
> Rog

Your computer appears to have a "popup boot menu" option. According
to this, you press F12 soon after pushing the power button, and a
list of current storage devices should appear. If your DVD drive
is really wired up and working, it should appear in the list.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim9150/en/sm/syssetup.htm

On my computer, I can leave the tray empty on any optical drive,
press my popup boot menu key right after power up, and leave the
list of devices on the screen. Then I can casually plop an optical
disc in the tray, close the tray, wait 30 seconds for the media
to spin up and be recognized.

Then, it is a simple matter of selecting the drive with the
recognized disc in it, as the boot device, and then off
it goes.

HTH,
Paul

 

"microsoft.news.com" <zulu.romeotangohotel@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:%23qjc6nFGLHA.4316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> > I was just going to suggest that you disconnect and scrap your
> > disfunctional CD drive and make sure that your DVD drive's pins are set
to
> > 'Master' (rather than 'Slave') and try again.
>
> No help available...
> Is this the only way?

Hardly ever with PCs is there a single only way to do things
-- but there is often a single fastest or easiest way, as here
to configure your desktop beforehand to recognize only
one CD drive (whatever is in place, whether DVD or CD
so long as it is in good working order: a DVD drive before
DVD drivers are loaded ought to be recognized as a CD
RO drive.)

The fastest way to do this is to inspect the data cables
to your CD/DVD drives, leave connected only your good
drive, jumpered as Master on that IDE line. The OS will
then recognize this as Drive D (as your Dell Recovery
disks expect.)

If no help is available among your personal friends, the
main alternatives seem to be:
1. Take the computer and disks to a specialist PC
repair shop, where the staff will probably (a) free or for
a token sum verify drive configuration so you can
reinstal yourself, or (b) reinstal the Dell/MS OS for
$50 to $100.
2. Appeal to local agencies (civic or charitable) that
offer to help the handicapped.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

 

You'll find assistance here:
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/default.aspx

microsoft.news.com wrote:
> "Hoyst Owen Petard" <ho@petard.invalid> wrote in message
> news:i0ffsq$vuq$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>> What did Dell support say when you contacted them?
>
>
> Nothing....
>
> I got fed up with waiting on the end of a phone...
>
>>
>> "microsoft.news.com" <zulu.romeotangohotel@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>> newshvksUFGLHA.1868@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to *factory
>>> Condition*.
>>>
>>> The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for dome time and I normally
>>> just
>>> use the DVD read/write drive instead.
>>>
>>> All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
>>> reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."
>>>
>>> There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD
>>> drive,
>>> just CD-ROM.
>>> Also, this part of the BIOS list is greyed out (BTW, I accessed the BIOS
>>> by pressing F2 whilst restarting) so I don't know if I could change it
>>> anyway...
>>>
>>> Assuming that I _could_ change the (greyed out bit of) the BIOS to boot
>>> from a USB Device, and if I copied the whole DEell disc to a memory
>>> stick, could I use that instead?
>>>
>>> If not....now what?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Be gentle with me <g>, I've never tried anything like this before...!
>>>
>>> FWIW I am also very partially sighted, which makes it all a bit like
>>> climbing Everest!
>>>
>>> --
>>> Rog

 

microsoft.news.com wrote:

> I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to
> *factory Condition*. The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for
> dome time and I normally just use the DVD read/write drive instead.
> All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
> reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."
> There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD
> drive, just CD-ROM.

Yet tried yanking the power cable (after powering down the computer)
from the problematic CD-ROM drive when you are attempting to do the
factory image restore operation? Obviously you aren't using the bad
CD-ROM drive to do the restore so you don't need it physically
available during the restore.

 

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:u0DhpLHGLHA.4316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> You'll find assistance here:
> http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/default.aspx


TYVM


>
> microsoft.news.com wrote:
>> "Hoyst Owen Petard" <ho@petard.invalid> wrote in message
>> news:i0ffsq$vuq$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>>> What did Dell support say when you contacted them?
>>
>>
>> Nothing....
>>
>> I got fed up with waiting on the end of a phone...
>>
>>>
>>> "microsoft.news.com" <zulu.romeotangohotel@ntlworld.com> wrote in
>>> message
>>> newshvksUFGLHA.1868@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to *factory
>>>> Condition*.
>>>>
>>>> The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for dome time and I normally
>>>> just
>>>> use the DVD read/write drive instead.
>>>>
>>>> All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
>>>> reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."
>>>>
>>>> There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD
>>>> drive,
>>>> just CD-ROM.
>>>> Also, this part of the BIOS list is greyed out (BTW, I accessed the
>>>> BIOS
>>>> by pressing F2 whilst restarting) so I don't know if I could change it
>>>> anyway...
>>>>
>>>> Assuming that I _could_ change the (greyed out bit of) the BIOS to boot
>>>> from a USB Device, and if I copied the whole DEell disc to a memory
>>>> stick, could I use that instead?
>>>>
>>>> If not....now what?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Be gentle with me <g>, I've never tried anything like this before...!
>>>>
>>>> FWIW I am also very partially sighted, which makes it all a bit like
>>>> climbing Everest!
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Rog
>

 

"Don Phillipson" <e925@SPAMBLOCK.ncf.ca> wrote in message
news:i0fmck$kil$1@speranza.aioe.org...
> "microsoft.news.com" <zulu.romeotangohotel@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:%23qjc6nFGLHA.4316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
>> > I was just going to suggest that you disconnect and scrap your
>> > disfunctional CD drive and make sure that your DVD drive's pins are set
> to
>> > 'Master' (rather than 'Slave') and try again.
>>
>> No help available...
>> Is this the only way?
>
> Hardly ever with PCs is there a single only way to do things
> -- but there is often a single fastest or easiest way, as here
> to configure your desktop beforehand to recognize only
> one CD drive (whatever is in place, whether DVD or CD
> so long as it is in good working order: a DVD drive before
> DVD drivers are loaded ought to be recognized as a CD
> RO drive.)

Not the easiest option for me, I can't see well enough.
Hence my query about the possibility of usig a USB stick with the Dell disc
copied to it.

>
> The fastest way to do this is to inspect the data cables
> to your CD/DVD drives, leave connected only your good
> drive, jumpered as Master on that IDE line. The OS will
> then recognize this as Drive D (as your Dell Recovery
> disks expect.)

??? I have a second internal HDD wwhich is already designate*D*

>
> If no help is available among your personal friends, the
> main alternatives seem to be:
> 1. Take the computer and disks to a specialist PC
> repair shop, where the staff will probably (a) free or for
> a token sum verify drive configuration so you can
> reinstal yourself, or (b) reinstal the Dell/MS OS for
> $50 to $100.
> 2. Appeal to local agencies (civic or charitable) that
> offer to help the handicapped.
>
> --

 

"VanguardLH" <V@nguard.LH> wrote in message
news:i0fse0$gti$1@news.albasani.net...
> microsoft.news.com wrote:
>
>> I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to
>> *factory Condition*. The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for
>> dome time and I normally just use the DVD read/write drive instead.
>> All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
>> reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."
>> There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD
>> drive, just CD-ROM.
>
> Yet tried yanking the power cable (after powering down the computer)
> from the problematic CD-ROM drive when you are attempting to do the
> factory image restore operation? Obviously you aren't using the bad
> CD-ROM drive to do the restore so you don't need it physically
> available during the restore.

I couldn't figure out how to get the plugout...
I'll have another try tomorrow.

 

Also see...

PC Restore for Windows XP | Dell:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=181316


microsoft.news.com wrote:
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:u0DhpLHGLHA.4316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> You'll find assistance here:
>> http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/default.aspx
>
>
> TYVM
>
>
>>
>> microsoft.news.com wrote:
>>> "Hoyst Owen Petard" <ho@petard.invalid> wrote in message
>>> news:i0ffsq$vuq$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>>>> What did Dell support say when you contacted them?
>>>
>>>
>>> Nothing....
>>>
>>> I got fed up with waiting on the end of a phone...
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "microsoft.news.com" <zulu.romeotangohotel@ntlworld.com> wrote in
>>>> message
>>>> newshvksUFGLHA.1868@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>>> I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to
>>>>> *factory
>>>>> Condition*.
>>>>>
>>>>> The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for dome time and I normally
>>>>> just
>>>>> use the DVD read/write drive instead.
>>>>>
>>>>> All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
>>>>> reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."
>>>>>
>>>>> There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD
>>>>> drive,
>>>>> just CD-ROM.
>>>>> Also, this part of the BIOS list is greyed out (BTW, I accessed the
>>>>> BIOS
>>>>> by pressing F2 whilst restarting) so I don't know if I could change it
>>>>> anyway...
>>>>>
>>>>> Assuming that I _could_ change the (greyed out bit of) the BIOS to
>>>>> boot
>>>>> from a USB Device, and if I copied the whole DEell disc to a memory
>>>>> stick, could I use that instead?
>>>>>
>>>>> If not....now what?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Be gentle with me <g>, I've never tried anything like this before...!
>>>>>
>>>>> FWIW I am also very partially sighted, which makes it all a bit like
>>>>> climbing Everest!
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Rog

 

microsoft.news.com wrote:

> "VanguardLH" <V@nguard.LH> wrote in message
> news:i0fse0$gti$1@news.albasani.net...
>> microsoft.news.com wrote:
>>
>>> I'm _trying_ to do a "Dell System Return return my computer to
>>> *factory Condition*. The CD-ROM drive has been dysfunctional for
>>> dome time and I normally just use the DVD read/write drive instead.
>>> All goes fine up to the point when it tries to reboot to start the
>>> reinstallation process and than stalls with the message "No CD-ROM."
>>> There doesn't' appear to be the option in the BIOS to boot fro DVD
>>> drive, just CD-ROM.
>>
>> Yet tried yanking the power cable (after powering down the computer)
>> from the problematic CD-ROM drive when you are attempting to do the
>> factory image restore operation? Obviously you aren't using the bad
>> CD-ROM drive to do the restore so you don't need it physically
>> available during the restore.
>
> I couldn't figure out how to get the plugout...
> I'll have another try tomorrow.

While you gave the model, I don't have the inclination to check if that
computer supports IDE, SATA, or both type of devices. If an IDE drive
is included, it uses a 4-pin Molex connector. It may only support SATA
drives.

Molex power connector:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...onnector.jpg/800px-Molex_female_connector.jpg
SATA power connector (the larger one shown on the *left*):
http://www.pcstats.com/articleimages/200708/LGGSAH62N_sata2.jpg

Just pull the 4-pin Molex connector straight out from the socket on the
PCB on the CD-ROM drive. If it is stubborn, use a ViseGrip pliers on
the plug, clamp it down, hold the grip end with one hand, and whack the
palm of your other hand against the plier body. If it is stubborn to
come out, it will probably be stubborn going back in so you need to be
sure not to damage the "pins" (which are simply stamped metal) when
reinserting.

You need to feel when the female pins will line up and slide over the
male pins to prevent smashing them. Most users just mash the plug into
the socket without feeling if they actually mated up correctly. If the
female pins have been squeezed too tight, or the female/male pins have
oxide on them, they may stick.

Although there is a small degree of polarization in the plug and socket
bodies by having 2 angled corners (the others are square), it is
possible to force in a 4-pin Molex plug upside down into the socket. Be
sure the rounded or angled corners on the Molex plug line up with the
same corners in the Molex socket. If the plug doesn't seem to want to
go into the socket, wiggle it around to see if you can feel when the
female pins happen to line up over the male pins. Unlike the trick of
using a pliers to give you leverage (not at an angle but straight out)
to remove the plug, only use your fingers to insert the plug.

Be sure to use anti-static measure when working inside the case of your
computer. If you have an anti-static wrist wrap then great. If you
don't, keep one hand always on the chassis while using your other hand
to remove and replace cables. In either case, make sure the computer's
power cord is still plugged from the PSU to the wall socket (which must
be grounded) so the chassis is actually grounded. In actuality, it is
only required that your voltaic potential be the same as for the chassis
and I've never had a problem if my feet are insulated (by wearing
sneakers with their rubber/plastic soles) but I stay connected to the
chassis to ensure my voltaic potential equals that for the chassis. It
is a *difference* in potential that destroys. Grounding of the user and
grounding of the chassis simply ensures they're all equal. Grounding of
the user beforehand ensures to dissipate any charge they accumulated
when walking across the carpet to work on their computer, as long as the
computer chassis is also grounded.

The Molex connectors rely on pressure (of the split female pin sliding
onto and grabbing the male pin). Most SATA power connectors just pull
out; however, it is possible there is a secure tab to keep it locked in
place where you have to depress the tang to release the locking tang,
like:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3rJYfhmJ2...20/internal-sata-latching-connector-cable.jpg

There is another way to do this. Boot into the system BIOS. Go into
the screens that control into the controller configurations. If the
CD-ROM and DVD-ROM devices are on different controllers, you can
probably disable the controller used for the problematic CD-ROM drive.
When you disable a controller, everything connected to it becomes
inaccessible. For IDE controllers, there are 2 devices: master and
slave. If only 1 device is connected to an IDE controller, you can
disable it. If 2 devices are connected to that IDE controller, both
become inaccessible. Each SATA device gets its own controller but
you'll have to see if your BIOS lets you individually disable each SATA
controller.

I've done this several times where I install Windows on a SATA drive
where there exists and IDE drive in the system. Windows screws up by
installing its loader on the IDE drive but the rest of it on the SATA
drive and I get multiple drive letters to manage. I just want Windows
on the SATA drive, so I configure the BIOS to boot first from the CD-ROM
drive (to use the install media) and then from the SATA drive, but I
have to disable the IDE controller to the IDE drive so Windows can't see
it nor can it use it in any way. Disabling controllers in the BIOS lets
you make invisible some devices to get them out of the way.

If the CD-ROM and DVD-RW drives are IDE and on the same IDE controller
then disabling that IDE controller in BIOS means both optical drives
become inaccessible. So you'll have to pull the power from the CD-ROM
drive to get it out of the way.