How to Restore Settings on the Dell Inspiron 531S

Run the Dell system recovery to restore settings when the computer will not boot.

Reboot and run the Dell Inspiron 531s factory restore feature when malicious software or misconfiguration has rendered the computer unusable. The Dell Inspiron 531s includes either the Windows XP or Vista operating system. Windows XP and Windows Vista Dell factory restore methods require different steps. Perform the factory restore steps prescribed for a particular operating system to restore Dell Inspiron 531s settings.

Things You'll Need

• Credentials of a Windows Administrator account

Instructions

Windows Vista

1. Unplug all peripheral equipment from the Dell 531s computer except the keyboard, mouse and monitor.

2. Reboot the computer and press the “F8” key. Tap the “Down Arrow” and highlight the “Advanced Boot Options” item. Press the “Enter” key.

3. Click the language setting you prefer and then “Next.”

4. Enter a Windows Administrator account username and password when prompted and click “OK.”

5. Click “Dell Factory Image Restore” and then “Next.”

6. Click to select the “Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition” box and then “Next.”

7. Click “Finish” to complete the restore and reboot the computer.

Windows XP

1. Remove all external devices from the computer except for keyboard, mouse and monitor.

2. Boot the Dell 531s and immediately hold down the “CTRL” and "F11” keys at the same time. Click “Restore” in the “Dell PC Restore by Symantec” window.

3. Click “Confirm” when prompted and standby while the restore is applied.

4. Click “Finish” to restart the computer and complete the system recovery.

Tips & Warnings

• Ensure that all irreplaceable information has a backup prior to running system recovery.

References

• Dell: Restoring Your Computer’s Software to the Factory Settings
• Dell: PC Restore for Windows XP
• Dell: Manuals