i am trouble

from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs

Can you select 'Previous Windows' and after that press F8? Maybe Dell has a custuom menu that is now fukked up.....
"carlos" escribió en el mensaje

from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs

Any time you format a partition on your Dell, it'll break the ability to use the CTL-F11.
However, a very nice person by the name of. Dan Goodell has explained how to use a utility call dsrfix.exe to restore the ability of using CTL-F11 on your Dell.
Go here and read.
http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/fixes.htm#comments
BTW, for some time now, Dell has made it an OPTION to get a Windows CD when you buy your system. It's only $10, and for a while it was buried on page 2 of their configuration screens, so many people missed it.
You might want to call or chat on-line with Dell and inquire about obtaining a Windows CD for your Dell. They may give it to you, or they may chage you the $10.
"carlos" wrote in message

from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs

Hi Carlos,
Sorry you are having problems and my answer will not be much help. When you installed Vista it probably removed the restore are on the hard drive. Do you remember doing any kind of a format or partition just before or during the install of Vista? Vista beta was not designed to be able to go back (restore) to XP. When they put out beta it is for users like us who like to try out new software. But they want us to put it on our computers but not on ones that are our "only" computer. Beta software always has problems. There is no Un-install for Vista that I am aware of. I plan on leaving Vista on my laptop until the retail version comes out in January 2007. Then I will install the (Retail) Vista over the Beta.
Dell stopped supplying recovery disks any last summer. You could check on their web site and look up your model computer. They might have a way to download a recovery disk. The other problem you will have is the key codes for XP. Even if you find a copy of XP to install you need your original key codes to activate it.
One option is to go buy a retail version of XP and install it, but you would have to format the hard drive to get rid of Vista first. Good luck,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:

from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs

hey Mark, thanks for helpin me , i really aprreciate. like u said one of my options is to ordered a Xp cd i will be needing a original key, wont the cd be coming with this key? or isnt the cd key attached in the back of my pc? im just curious and again thanks
"Mark S-123" wrote:

Hi Carlos,
Sorry you are having problems and my answer will not be much help. When you installed Vista it probably removed the restore are on the hard drive. Do you remember doing any kind of a format or partition just before or during the install of Vista? Vista beta was not designed to be able to go back (restore) to XP. When they put out beta it is for users like us who like to try out new software. But they want us to put it on our computers but not on ones that are our "only" computer. Beta software always has problems. There is no Un-install for Vista that I am aware of. I plan on leaving Vista on my laptop until the retail version comes out in January 2007. Then I will install the (Retail) Vista over the Beta.
Dell stopped supplying recovery disks any last summer. You could check on their web site and look up your model computer. They might have a way to download a recovery disk. The other problem you will have is the key codes for XP. Even if you find a copy of XP to install you need your original key codes to activate it.
One option is to go buy a retail version of XP and install it, but you would have to format the hard drive to get rid of Vista first. Good luck,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs

Hi Carlos,
Yes, if you buy XP on CD it will come with the key code. Check your computer and the box it came in, you may have the key code. It would probably be a sticker or small card with the code number and a holographic Miscrosoft logo. It will look similar to the key code you used to activate Vista.
If you already have the code you could borrow someones XP cd to install, then use your key code to activate it.
Good Luck
Mark
"carlos" wrote:

hey Mark, thanks for helpin me , i really aprreciate. like u said one of my options is to ordered a Xp cd i will be needing a original key, wont the cd be coming with this key? or isnt the cd key attached in the back of my pc? im just curious and again thanks
"Mark S-123" wrote:
Hi Carlos,
Sorry you are having problems and my answer will not be much help. When you installed Vista it probably removed the restore are on the hard drive. Do you remember doing any kind of a format or partition just before or during the install of Vista? Vista beta was not designed to be able to go back (restore) to XP. When they put out beta it is for users like us who like to try out new software. But they want us to put it on our computers but not on ones that are our "only" computer. Beta software always has problems. There is no Un-install for Vista that I am aware of. I plan on leaving Vista on my laptop until the retail version comes out in January 2007. Then I will install the (Retail) Vista over the Beta.
Dell stopped supplying recovery disks any last summer. You could check on their web site and look up your model computer. They might have a way to download a recovery disk. The other problem you will have is the key codes for XP. Even if you find a copy of XP to install you need your original key codes to activate it.
One option is to go buy a retail version of XP and install it, but you would have to format the hard drive to get rid of Vista first. Good luck,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs

are u serious Mark? you are saying if could get a windows Xp CD and then used my product key that i found in the exterior top in my desktop i would be able to run windows back again? wow lets se what happpens, i will let u kno thank u
"Mark S-123" wrote:

Hi Carlos,
Yes, if you buy XP on CD it will come with the key code. Check your computer and the box it came in, you may have the key code. It would probably be a sticker or small card with the code number and a holographic Miscrosoft logo. It will look similar to the key code you used to activate Vista.
If you already have the code you could borrow someones XP cd to install, then use your key code to activate it.
Good Luck
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
hey Mark, thanks for helpin me , i really aprreciate. like u said one of my options is to ordered a Xp cd i will be needing a original key, wont the cd be coming with this key? or isnt the cd key attached in the back of my pc? im just curious and again thanks
"Mark S-123" wrote:
Hi Carlos,
Sorry you are having problems and my answer will not be much help. When you installed Vista it probably removed the restore are on the hard drive. Do you remember doing any kind of a format or partition just before or during the install of Vista? Vista beta was not designed to be able to go back (restore) to XP. When they put out beta it is for users like us who like to try out new software. But they want us to put it on our computers but not on ones that are our "only" computer. Beta software always has problems. There is no Un-install for Vista that I am aware of. I plan on leaving Vista on my laptop until the retail version comes out in January 2007. Then I will install the (Retail) Vista over the Beta.
Dell stopped supplying recovery disks any last summer. You could check on their web site and look up your model computer. They might have a way to download a recovery disk. The other problem you will have is the key codes for XP. Even if you find a copy of XP to install you need your original key codes to activate it.
One option is to go buy a retail version of XP and install it, but you would have to format the hard drive to get rid of Vista first. Good luck,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs

Yes,
This is how Microsoft keeps everthing legal. It is easy to copy the software, but without your product key you can't activate the software.
Good Luck Carlos,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:

are u serious Mark? you are saying if could get a windows Xp CD and then used my product key that i found in the exterior top in my desktop i would be able to run windows back again? wow lets se what happpens, i will let u kno thank u
"Mark S-123" wrote:
Hi Carlos,
Yes, if you buy XP on CD it will come with the key code. Check your computer and the box it came in, you may have the key code. It would probably be a sticker or small card with the code number and a holographic Miscrosoft logo. It will look similar to the key code you used to activate Vista.
If you already have the code you could borrow someones XP cd to install, then use your key code to activate it.
Good Luck
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
hey Mark, thanks for helpin me , i really aprreciate. like u said one of my options is to ordered a Xp cd i will be needing a original key, wont the cd be coming with this key? or isnt the cd key attached in the back of my pc? im just curious and again thanks
"Mark S-123" wrote:
Hi Carlos,
Sorry you are having problems and my answer will not be much help. When you installed Vista it probably removed the restore are on the hard drive. Do you remember doing any kind of a format or partition just before or during the install of Vista? Vista beta was not designed to be able to go back (restore) to XP. When they put out beta it is for users like us who like to try out new software. But they want us to put it on our computers but not on ones that are our "only" computer. Beta software always has problems. There is no Un-install for Vista that I am aware of. I plan on leaving Vista on my laptop until the retail version comes out in January 2007. Then I will install the (Retail) Vista over the Beta.
Dell stopped supplying recovery disks any last summer. You could check on their web site and look up your model computer. They might have a way to download a recovery disk. The other problem you will have is the key codes for XP. Even if you find a copy of XP to install you need your original key codes to activate it.
One option is to go buy a retail version of XP and install it, but you would have to format the hard drive to get rid of Vista first. Good luck,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs

Oh my God Mark you've helped me a lot :D , but what do i do when i'll get the cd? do i format my hard drive? there is stuff i want to keep thought(programs,doc,etc , i dont know , and/or boot the cd from the start or once i log on to windos vista? i am sorry if i been a pain in the bud,lol, thanks
"Mark S-123" wrote:

Yes,
This is how Microsoft keeps everthing legal. It is easy to copy the software, but without your product key you can't activate the software.
Good Luck Carlos,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
are u serious Mark? you are saying if could get a windows Xp CD and then used my product key that i found in the exterior top in my desktop i would be able to run windows back again? wow lets se what happpens, i will let u kno thank u
"Mark S-123" wrote:
Hi Carlos,
Yes, if you buy XP on CD it will come with the key code. Check your computer and the box it came in, you may have the key code. It would probably be a sticker or small card with the code number and a holographic Miscrosoft logo. It will look similar to the key code you used to activate Vista.
If you already have the code you could borrow someones XP cd to install, then use your key code to activate it.
Good Luck
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
hey Mark, thanks for helpin me , i really aprreciate. like u said one of my options is to ordered a Xp cd i will be needing a original key, wont the cd be coming with this key? or isnt the cd key attached in the back of my pc? im just curious and again thanks
"Mark S-123" wrote:
Hi Carlos,
Sorry you are having problems and my answer will not be much help. When you installed Vista it probably removed the restore are on the hard drive. Do you remember doing any kind of a format or partition just before or during the install of Vista? Vista beta was not designed to be able to go back (restore) to XP. When they put out beta it is for users like us who like to try out new software. But they want us to put it on our computers but not on ones that are our "only" computer. Beta software always has problems. There is no Un-install for Vista that I am aware of. I plan on leaving Vista on my laptop until the retail version comes out in January 2007. Then I will install the (Retail) Vista over the Beta.
Dell stopped supplying recovery disks any last summer. You could check on their web site and look up your model computer. They might have a way to download a recovery disk. The other problem you will have is the key codes for XP. Even if you find a copy of XP to install you need your original key codes to activate it.
One option is to go buy a retail version of XP and install it, but you would have to format the hard drive to get rid of Vista first. Good luck,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs

oh and more thing does the Windows XP CD has to be Home Edition or it could be Pro since my pc had Home Edition previously, carlos
"Mark S-123" wrote:

Yes,
This is how Microsoft keeps everthing legal. It is easy to copy the software, but without your product key you can't activate the software.
Good Luck Carlos,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
are u serious Mark? you are saying if could get a windows Xp CD and then used my product key that i found in the exterior top in my desktop i would be able to run windows back again? wow lets se what happpens, i will let u kno thank u
"Mark S-123" wrote:
Hi Carlos,
Yes, if you buy XP on CD it will come with the key code. Check your computer and the box it came in, you may have the key code. It would probably be a sticker or small card with the code number and a holographic Miscrosoft logo. It will look similar to the key code you used to activate Vista.
If you already have the code you could borrow someones XP cd to install, then use your key code to activate it.
Good Luck
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
hey Mark, thanks for helpin me , i really aprreciate. like u said one of my options is to ordered a Xp cd i will be needing a original key, wont the cd be coming with this key? or isnt the cd key attached in the back of my pc? im just curious and again thanks
"Mark S-123" wrote:
Hi Carlos,
Sorry you are having problems and my answer will not be much help. When you installed Vista it probably removed the restore are on the hard drive. Do you remember doing any kind of a format or partition just before or during the install of Vista? Vista beta was not designed to be able to go back (restore) to XP. When they put out beta it is for users like us who like to try out new software. But they want us to put it on our computers but not on ones that are our "only" computer. Beta software always has problems. There is no Un-install for Vista that I am aware of. I plan on leaving Vista on my laptop until the retail version comes out in January 2007. Then I will install the (Retail) Vista over the Beta.
Dell stopped supplying recovery disks any last summer. You could check on their web site and look up your model computer. They might have a way to download a recovery disk. The other problem you will have is the key codes for XP. Even if you find a copy of XP to install you need your original key codes to activate it.
One option is to go buy a retail version of XP and install it, but you would have to format the hard drive to get rid of Vista first. Good luck,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs

Let me clarify some of the comments in this thread.
1) Try the DSRfix first. It will likely work as Vista would not have formatted the partition containing the restore.
2) Dell stopped providing XP disks briefly over a year ago, but during that time provided a utility to burn your own. They stopped that roughly a year ago and buying the CD/DVD was an option during the order. Unfortunately, many people tried to save the $10 and didn't order it. Foolish.
3) Dell never has shipped Restore CDs. They are real XP CDs.
4) If you have the sticker on your machine, an XP Home OEM CD from any company will work fine. If you can get the Dell version, it is easier, as it will not even prompt you for the key, as the Dell version sees a Dell BIOS and skips that step.
5) Once you get the CD, even if you have to borrow it, you boot to the CD and run the install. Make sure you format your C: drive/Primary partition.
6) Remember, this WILL WIPE OUT everything. So if you don't have backups, make them. If you can't, you're screwed.
Tom "carlos" wrote in message

oh and more thing does the Windows XP CD has to be Home Edition or it could be Pro since my pc had Home Edition previously, carlos
"Mark S-123" wrote:
Yes,
This is how Microsoft keeps everthing legal. It is easy to copy the software, but without your product key you can't activate the software.
Good Luck Carlos,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
are u serious Mark? you are saying if could get a windows Xp CD and then used my product key that i found in the exterior top in my desktop i would be able to run windows back again? wow lets se what happpens, i will let u kno thank u
"Mark S-123" wrote:
Hi Carlos,
Yes, if you buy XP on CD it will come with the key code. Check your computer and the box it came in, you may have the key code. It would probably be a sticker or small card with the code number and a holographic Miscrosoft logo. It will look similar to the key code you used to activate Vista.
If you already have the code you could borrow someones XP cd to install, then use your key code to activate it.
Good Luck
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
hey Mark, thanks for helpin me , i really aprreciate. like u said one of my options is to ordered a Xp cd i will be needing a original key, wont the cd be coming with this key? or isnt the cd key attached in the back of my pc? im just curious and again thanks
"Mark S-123" wrote:
Hi Carlos,
Sorry you are having problems and my answer will not be much help. When you installed Vista it probably removed the restore are on the hard drive. Do you remember doing any kind of a format or partition just before or during the install of Vista? Vista beta was not designed to be able to go back (restore) to XP. When they put out beta it is for users like us who like to try out new software. But they want us to put it on our computers but not on ones that are our "only" computer. Beta software always has problems. There is no Un-install for Vista that I am aware of. I plan on leaving Vista on my laptop until the retail version comes out in January 2007. Then I will install the (Retail) Vista over the Beta.
Dell stopped supplying recovery disks any last summer. You could check on their web site and look up your model computer. They might have a way to download a recovery disk. The other problem you will have is the key codes for XP. Even if you find a copy of XP to install you need your original key codes to activate it.
One option is to go buy a retail version of XP and install it, but you would have to format the hard drive to get rid of Vista first. Good luck,
Mark
"carlos" wrote:
from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs

"it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows"
What it does if you try to start "earlier version"? It should start XP or XP boot menu then.

"carlos" wrote in message

from i've seen so far , my pc is messed up. i install windows vista beta in my computer and it woks and evrythin but i want to go back to wind.Xp. but in the forum i see pple that arent able to go back to winXP without a restore CD. i dont a restore cd for winXP, i used to only restore my pc(dell) by pressing F11 and the Ctrl key and then will lead me to recover procedure (from factory). but now that i try to do it nothin happens , it only starts and ask me if i want to start windows (earlier version or microsoft windows)please help i dont kno what to do... i want to format my hard drive but i am afraid that i wont be able to use the recover method that i used to do with my dell..this is my only pc and i also share it with my family...they dont kno please help me! i will really appreciate thanxs