Reset XP pc to factory settings, no disc

[dvtrv]

I'm attempting to reset an XP laptop to factory settings.

I've looked into "Restore" but from what I can see it's not there. Kinda knew it isn't.

I tried the f8 route but there is no "Repair" option.

I've looked a while but with no joy.

Any assistance, I thank you in advance.

It's a Dell Inspiron 8600.

Thank you

 

[vailr]

The best solution is to somehow obtain an official optical disc from Dell or via some other source.
Try calling Dell and they may offer to send out one for free, or for a small fee.
Otherwise, just do a fresh installation using a generic XP SP3 source.

 

[dvtrv]

The best solution is to somehow obtain an official optical disc from Dell or via some other source.
Try calling Dell and they may offer to send out one for free, or for a small fee.
Otherwise, just do a fresh installation using a generic XP SP3 source.

Oh ok.
Is there no other way?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Windows "Reset" / "Refresh" wasn't added into Windows until 8.0 or 8.1, and also exists in all versions of 10, that I know of.

Even Windows 7 doesn't have a "Reset" / "Refresh" capability built-in.

You need restore discs, or a disk image file that was made from the original HDD, when it was factory-fresh. (This is a good idea, if your Savvy, when you get a new PC.)

 

[whm1974]

Oh ok.
Is there no other way?

Nope, sure isn't. I'm not sure I would bother with an XP era machine myself as WinXP hasn't been supported at all since 2014.

 

[C1]

Reinstall Microsoft Windows

Need to reinstall your PC's operating system

https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/drivers/osiso/recoverytool/WT64A


Ref:

https://www.dell.com/support/conten...-downloads/dell-backup-solutions/Media-backup

 

[Ketchup]

Ctrl + F11 is what it took back in the XP days, when you see the gray bar before XP loads. This is assuming the original Dell image is still in good shape. Back when I played when these, I remember them being pretty easy to break, but Dellls were pretty good.

https://www.dell.com/community/Desk...p-running-xp-to-factory-settings/td-p/3096656

A quick Ebay search will get you a Dell XP installation CD pretty cheap though.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-Windo...at=11226&_nkw=dell+windows+xp&_from=R40&rt=nc

 

[dvtrv]

Thanks for everyone's input on here.

 

[Lanyap]

That’s an old machine, I used to have one a long time ago. If you order a Dell XP install disk make sure you get SP3. It will take less time to run Windows Updates.

 

[whm1974]

Is there a reason you need a Windows XP machine for something?