Reset to factory settings

If the system has the original Dell image, then just after the Dell Bios splash screen should be a black screen with w blue bar at the top with www.dell.com at the top.

At that screen press CTRL + F11 to initiate the PC Restore program.

You can reset your computer back to factory defaults without your disks with the hidden recovery partition built onto you computer.

For XP, Right after you turn on your computer, hold the <CTRL> keyboard button down and keep tapping on the F11 key until the Dell Restore by Symantec Window comes up. Then click Restore then click Confirm.

*If yout computer came with Vista, the steps are a bit different, and they are on the website on the link I provided at the bottom (as well as for XP*

Here's the Dell Webiste with the Step by step instructions to perform the factory reset. Just pick which Operating System your computer came with and follow the steps:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?journalid=67710ED6A400022DE040AE0AB5E124BD&docid=336966

Resetting a Dell Inspiron to the factory settings allows the user to restore the Dell Latitude to the original operating condition as if it was just taken out of the box. Dell system includes a restore utility called 'Dell Symantec System Restore' to reset or restore your Dell system to factory setting.

Step 1: Before reset any Dell Inspiron laptop, backup your all important data and programs, otherwise you may lose it. It is recommended to use an external storage device for your entire data backup, so that you couldn't lose it in any sudden occurring issue...

Step 2: Remove any other unnecessary external drive and restart your Dell Inspiron laptop.

Step 3: Press 'F8' key continue until 'Advanced Boot Options' wouldn't be appear.

Step 4: Use your keyboard arrow key to select 'Repair Your Computer' from the list and hit 'Enter'.

Step 5: Now click 'Next' and login as the administrator account.

Step 6: Click 'Dell Factory Image Recovery and Data Safe options', select your language option and click 'Next'.

Step 7: Click the check box 'Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition' and click 'Next' to start Dell Inspiron reset process...

This process will erase all your previous changes that have been made to the Dell Inspiron laptop and reset the configuration settings to factory setting.

Feel free to get technical assistance at http://www.vtechsquad.com/dell-support/ for all Dell laptops(Vostro, Latitude,Inspiron...etc..) problems.

You can contact Dell to obtain a copy of the disc by providing them with your product key usually found on the bottom of the laptop. Then you can wipe out, reinstall to factory default.