Ctrl + F11 not working

[KSTornado]

After running my virus scans on my work computer my Malewarebytes wiped out some key registry items and/or hot keys needed to run my system right. When I tr to regularly turn my comp and and get to the desktop my screen had nothing but the background showing. Only way to access anything was with ctrl+alt+delete.


I then searched for the explorer.exe file to see if it was still there and it was but something had to of been wiped that allows the process to work. I then decided to try and reinstall windows. When doing so I was able to get to the part of the installation asking for language but after that it freezes up with 31 minutes left in the installation proccess. After 2 hrs of waiting and then trying it once again I have found that it will not work.


I spoke with a family member who works on computers for a living and he told me about the Ctrl+F11 option after he was able to extract what I needed off the computer for me. He gave me a copy from the Dell website of what and how to use the Dell System Restore by Symantec. I've been trying all morning long to hit the Ctrl+F11 but it continues to just regularly boot up until the reinstallation screen comes up asking to put the disc to finish the installation that freezes with 31 minutes left.


Is there anything I can do to get the recovery to work or is my work computer a waste of money now?


The computer is a Dell VOSTRO 200 with Windows XP version. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I hope this is enough info to help.

[Broni]

he told me about the Ctrl+F11

How old is your computer? It may not have recovery partition.

I then decided to try and reinstall windows

Using what?

it freezes up with 31 minutes left

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/828267/en-us

[KSTornado]

My computer is just over a year old. I tried reinstalling Windows with the disk that came with the computer. I have a feeling the reason why the reinstallation froze up is because of something that may of been wiped.

[Broni]

I tried reinstalling Windows with the disk that came with the computer

What is the name of that disk?

Unless, someone deleted recovery partition, CTRL+F11 should work. Are you pressing those two keys at Dell's logo?

Did you read M$ link?

[KSTornado]

The disk says Reinstallation of Windows XP which is the correct disk. As soon as the Dell sign pops up when turning the computer on I press and hold Ctrl and then press F11 and release both keys at the same time as that is what the instructions from the Dell website says to do. The link above is freezing my windows up but I will continue to try and get to it.

[KSTornado]

Ok, I ran to work to see what the reinstalltion CD says to make sure I have the correct info. Here is what the CD says...


Reinstalltion CD
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Serivce Pack 2


Hope that helps. Also, I was able to get to the link provided and to be honest it reads as jiberish to me. I am not computer savy and did not understand half of what that link said.

[KSTornado]

Also, my family member did check to see if I had a partition and he said I did and that it had plenty of space to be able to use.

[Broni]

Does this CD say "Dell"?
If so, did you try to boot from it?
Put the CD in, and restart computer.
At some point, you should see a message:
Press any key to boot from CD

[KSTornado]

Yes, it says Dell on it as it is the CD that came with the computer. I will try to boot from the CD in the morning and post back on what happened. Thanks for all the help so far. It is really appreciated.

[Broni]

Sure thing :0
If it won't boot from the CD, you need to  check BIOS regarding "boot order".

[KSTornado]

Ok, I was able to boot from the CD. It asked if I wanted to repair the current Windows isntalled and had no other options so I did that. It then rebooted and went into the Reinstallation process and finished. Then it rebooted once again and came to a screen asking these 2 options..

Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Windows Recovery Console

I clicked the first one and it took me to where my desktop should be but it looked the same with no desktop and just the Vostro emblem in the background. I could only access things by hitting Crtl+Alt+Delete and running a program from there.

I then rebooted and clicked on the second choice. The screen that came after was a blank black screen with just a bottom slash ( _ ) blinking.

I am basically where I started at when the problem first arose except that Windows was reinstalled but did not work.

I also have no clue what BIOS means and no clue what to do next.

[Broni]

I'm not sure what that CD is then, because, it should give you an option to reinstall Windows, not repair only.

As soon as the Dell sign pops up when turning the computer on I press and hold Ctrl and then press F11 and release both keys at the same time

...and?

[KSTornado]

The CD that I used says:


Reinstallation CD
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Service pack 2

This is stated on the right side of the CD:

For Distribution Only With a New Dell PC



When trying the Ctrl+F11 nothing happens and it boots like it has been with these two options to choose from:

Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Windows Recovery Console

[KSTornado]

I just talked to my family member who works on comps and he told me to ask if there is a way to get to the restore point without having to hit Ctrl+F11?

[Broni]

You can get there by running following command from Task Manager>New Task:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe