Factory Resetting Dell Laptop

swood

swood

swood

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UK
Hi all.

I have an old Dell work laptop that i would like to get up and running again. I don't know the password to it anymore and i don't need any data from it. I'd like to factory reset it if possible so i can start fresh.

I've not done this before so just want to make sure i know the process. Is it best to purchase a new activation key i.e. https://www.gamers-outlet.net/en/bu...=GBP&msclkid=b3934a4f7e2514843650222745ad3c99

Then download the file or whatever it is it to a USB, navigate to the boot via USB screen by spamming shift or F11 or whatever it is on startup and then it will wipe everything and go through setup. Is that right?

Thanks in advance
 
Thanks both. Because it's an old work laptop, i tried navigating to the erase data menu during bootup and it wouldn't do anything when i selected to reset all data. I think i'd need something that essentially would overwrite any security or system settings on the laptop, which is why i thought a complete reset might work.

Should i try the Windows Media creation tool?
 
What's the model number of the laptop?

You could try removing the main drive (SSD or hard drive) and seeing if it'll boot from a USB stick. If so, erase the drive, boot up from the USB drive and install Windows.

It sounds like the laptop might have a BIOS password on it, can you confirm this? Or is it just a password for Windows that's the issue?
 
Use the creation tool and boot from USB. You may need to go into the bios to get it to boot to usb. You appear to have done the Dell factory reset.
 
If it's not BIOS locked and you want to really, really wipe it before you start. Boot and nuke it.

Though as others have said just go the easy route and use the MCT
 
darael said:
What's the model number of the laptop?

You could try removing the main drive (SSD or hard drive) and seeing if it'll boot from a USB stick. If so, erase the drive, boot up from the USB drive and install Windows.

It sounds like the laptop might have a BIOS password on it, can you confirm this? Or is it just a password for Windows that's the issue?
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Latitude 5420. Not sure about the BIOS password, don't know how to check for that. It's an old password i've used but we have to change our password every 90 days and this laptop is 2 years old so god know what it was.

Efour said:
Best i've stolen a laptop thread of 2025 so far.
Click to expand...
Haha it's honeslty not

Nigel Kingdon said:
Use the creation tool and boot from USB. You may need to go into the bios to get it to boot to usb. You appear to have done the Dell factory reset.
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I'll try the creation tool. Thanks

Junglist said:
If it's not BIOS locked and you want to really, really wipe it before you start. Boot and nuke it.

Though as others have said just go the easy route and use the MCT
Click to expand...
Not sure how to nuke it, but i'll try the creation tool first
 
The installer cannot locate the SSD / HD in the laptop.

This could be down to something actually wrong with the drive / interface (if its detected in the bios then it won't be this)* or needing the Intel RST (storage controller) drivers to be able to detect the drive.

This is for HP but highlights the same issue: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Deskt...-showing-in-windows-installation/td-p/9012708


Been a while since I have encountered this but from memory you need the Intel RST Driver for your specific laptop (or dell series).
 
Thekwango said:

watch the above and try that - have literally just had to do the same to a laptop returned by one of our sales guys.
Click to expand...
Thanks but this doesn't work. Reset This PC options don't do anything.

oweneades said:
The installer cannot locate the SSD / HD in the laptop.

This could be down to something actually wrong with the drive / interface (if its detected in the bios then it won't be this)* or needing the Intel RST (storage controller) drivers to be able to detect the drive.

This is for HP but highlights the same issue: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Deskt...-showing-in-windows-installation/td-p/9012708


Been a while since I have encountered this but from memory you need the Intel RST Driver for your specific laptop (or dell series).
Click to expand...
Thank you. Should i download the files from the HP thread or ignore completely? Searched on here https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-uk/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=7pgdm for Latitude 5420 and it says "Drive is not compatible"
 
I have 100s of this model at work (need to double check one hasn't gone missing :cry: )

Can you access the BIOS, by pressing f12 during the dell boot logo?

If so under storage, swap AHCI to RAID or vice versa.


rp2000
 
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rp2000 said:
I have 100s of this model at work (need to double check one hasn't gone missing :cry: )

Can you access the BIOS, by pressing f12 during the dell boot logo?

If so under storage, swap AHCI to RAID or vice versa.


rp2000
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You can have it back for £100 :cry:.

I can. Swapped from RAID to AHCI and can see these now, but not sure what to do next as none of them allow me to select "Next'
 
swood said:
You can have it back for £100 :cry:.

I can. Swapped from RAID to AHCI and can see these now, but not sure what to do next as none of them allow me to select "Next'
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Select each one (apart from ESD-USB) and delete partition until you are left with 1 big block of unallocated space and install windows 11 on that (The next button will become available).


rp2000
 
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rp2000 said:
Select each one (apart from ESD-USB) and delete partition until you are left with 1 big block of unallocated space and install windows 11 on that (The next button will become available).


rp2000
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Thank you so much, that worked. However... i've gone through the reset and come to a page asking me to sign into a work or school account.

I can't use my personal email
 
swood said:
Thank you so much, that worked. However... i've gone through the reset and come to a page asking me to sign into a work or school account.

I can't use my personal email
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The machine is registered in your company's MDM. I can't recall the name of the product (in tune?). You would now have to change so many components in it to bypass that it just wouldn't be worth it.

In effect you are stuck and depending on how diligently your IT administrators monitors these things they know someone is trying to reactivate one of their machines.

Nothing to worry about, I'm sure.


rp2000
 
rp2000 said:
The machine is registered in your company's MDM. I can't recall the name of the product (in tune?). You would now have to change so many components in it to bypass that it just wouldn't be worth it.

In effect you are stuck and depending on how diligently your IT administrators monitors these things they know someone is trying to reactivate one of their machines.

Nothing to worry about, I'm sure.


rp2000
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Damn. Oh well, it was worth a try. Thank you very much for your help RP, appreciate it!

I have a little tech shop near me. Do you think it's something they could do, that wouldn't cost a lot. It's a nice laptop, but i already have a personal laptop that i was looking to replace it with and i'm not invested enough to pay more than say £100.
 
swood said:
Damn. Oh well, it was worth a try. Thank you very much for your help RP, appreciate it!

I have a little tech shop near me. Do you think it's something they could do, that wouldn't cost a lot. It's a nice laptop, but i already have a personal laptop that i was looking to replace it with and i'm not invested enough to pay more than say £100.
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I don't think it could be done easily. It's usually the motherboard unique ID that is being used to identify the machine when it goes online. You can't really change that unless you had another (broken) 5420 laptop handy and swapped motherboards. Maybe your lcoal PC shop has one, it's worth a shot and should be less than £100


rp2000
 
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