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.