BleepingComputer.com: Setting up a "F#" key for a Ghost RE-Install?

Welcome to BleepingComputer, a free community where people like yourself come together to discuss and learn how to use their computers. Using the site is easy and fun. As a guest, you can browse and view the various discussions in the forums, but can not create a new topic or reply to an existing one unless you are logged in. Other benefits of registering an account are subscribing to topics and forums, creating a blog, and having no ads shown anywhere on the site.

Click here to Register a free account now! or read our Welcome Guide to learn how to use this site.

Page 1 of 1

You cannot start a new topic
You cannot reply to this topic

Setting up a "F#" key for a Ghost RE-Install? Can this be done?

#1 Johnz414

Forum Regular

Group: Members
Posts: 339
Joined: 20-September 04
Gender:Male
Location:Milwaukee, WI

Posted 09 February 2009 - 12:07 AM

Hi,

I've helped a couple of people with Dell and ASUS PCs which both had a "F#" key configuration that would set in motion an automatic total re-install of their OS.

Does anyone know how to do this, set up a "F#" key to key an automatic total re-install of the OS?

It seems like it would be a great convenience.

Anyone?

John

John

"Genius is nothing other than pointing out the obvious", Albert Einstein.

"I am what I am and that is all that I am, I am Popeye the Sailor Man", Popeye.

#2 garmanma

Computer Masochist

Group: Staff Emeritus
Posts: 27,809
Joined: 27-January 07
Location:Cleveland, Ohio

Posted 09 February 2009 - 05:13 PM

It's F2 and F11 if the Dell has a recovery partition:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/glo...lang=en&cs=

Mark

why won't my laptop work?

Having grandkids is God's way of giving you a 2nd chance because you were too busy working your butt off the 1st time around
Do not send me PMs with problems that should be posted in the forums. Keep it in the forums, so everyone benefits
Become a BleepingComputer fan: Facebook and Twitter

#3 Johnz414

Forum Regular

Group: Members
Posts: 339
Joined: 20-September 04
Gender:Male
Location:Milwaukee, WI

Posted 09 February 2009 - 06:57 PM

I'm sorry,

Again I'm writing to quick about a possibility and not thinking first. :huh:

Anyhow, what I mean to do is set up a "F#" key to do this on my own PC that I personally built using a Ghost image on the hidden partition that the "F#" wold access for re-install.

Do you or anyone know how to do this, how does Dell set it up so that I can do it for my own PC that I built?

I hope that helps. :huh:

John

This post has been edited by Johnz414: 09 February 2009 - 06:58 PM

John

"Genius is nothing other than pointing out the obvious", Albert Einstein.

"I am what I am and that is all that I am, I am Popeye the Sailor Man", Popeye.

#4 garmanma

Computer Masochist

Group: Staff Emeritus
Posts: 27,809
Joined: 27-January 07
Location:Cleveland, Ohio

Posted 10 February 2009 - 03:03 PM

OK, I understand. I'm really not sure. I'll look around whenever I get the chance

Mark

#5 usasma

Still visually handicapped, new avatar (a camel) :0)

Group: Members
Posts: 16,689
Joined: 02-October 05
Gender:Male
Location:Southeastern CT, USA

Posted 10 February 2009 - 05:11 PM

It's gonna take some programming skills to do this.
If launched from the BIOS - then the BIOS will have to be modified to do it.

I prefer an image of the hard drive and a bootable imaging utility. I boot from my Acronis True Image CD and then am able to restore the system with very little user input. Also, I understand that Acronis True Image has this capability but have never tried it myself. Check here for further info: http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/ and read about the Acronis Startup Recovery Manager

- John
**If you need a more detailed explanation, please ask for it. I have the Knack. **