If you have been experiencing issues with speed or performance in your laptop, then it might be time to reboot your system. Resetting your Dell laptop will erase all your personal data and restore the computer to its original settings. This helps in resolving any ongoing software problems and is one of the most useful laptop hacks to make your system more efficient. There are many different ways to do that, depending on your systems working capability or how often it is crashing. Here are a few simple steps to follow if you need to reboot your Dell laptop.
How to reset Dell laptop if it’s working
The easiest way to reboot a Windows software-based laptop is by simply clicking on the ’Start’ button, then the ‘Turn Off Computer’ option followed by which you will have two options: ‘Reboot’ or ‘Shut Down’. When you select ‘Reboot’, it will perform a Dell factory reset and reverse any changes you have made. This will only work if your computer is working properly.
How to reset Dell laptop that has crashed
Running too many programs or keeping multiple tabs open can be some of the things you are doing that are slowing down your laptop. If your computer keeps crashing frequently or gets stuck, try pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL simultaneously on the keyboard. This will open a small screen which will have the ‘Shut Down’ option in the drop-down menu. From here you can choose ‘Reboot’ to start a Dell factory reset or ‘Shut Down’.
How to do a hard reset on a Dell laptop
If your computer input devices are not responding, the only option left is to do a hard shutdown. This can be done by just holding the power switch for 5 to 10 seconds until everything shuts off. If the power button is also not responding, then the only way out is by directly switching off the main source of current or to pull out the batteries.
Depending on the Windows platform installed on your computer, there are different ways to reboot your system.
Windows 8
The very first step is to back up and save all your personal data to an external hard disk or flash drive as resetting your laptop will clear all the memory from your computer by performing a Dell factory reset. Keep the laptop connected to a power source. Then from the main menu, tap and click on ‘Power’ then on ‘Restart’. After this, you need to select the ‘Troubleshoot’ option and select ‘Reset Your PC’. Follow the on screen display options and depending on your requirements, you can wipe your computer completely or select the particular files to be wiped. Windows will reset your laptop and a fresh new screen will be displayed.
Windows 7
After a complete backup of all your personal data, connect your laptop to a power source. Press the F8 button repeatedly until the Advanced Boot options menu does not show up on-screen. Select ‘Repair your computer’ and your preferred keyboard layout and then click on ‘Next.’ It will ask you to enter your windows username and password and then select ‘Dell Factory Image Restore’ or ‘Dell Factory Tools’. The next option which pops is a box which you can checkmark to reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory settings. After following the on-screen options, click on Finish. The reset is complete and your brand new system is ready to use.
Windows Vista and XP
The Windows Vista has a reset menu that is almost identical to the Windows 7 which is easy to understand. The reset menu on Windows XP can be seen after switching on your computer. Once the Dell logo is displayed during the start-up process, press and hold down CTRL+F11, and then release both keys at the same time. Click on ‘Restore’ and follow the on-screen menu. Once the reset process begins, it might take upto 10 minutes for completion. When the reset process is complete, click on ‘Finish’. Once you do this, a system message of successful resetting will be displayed on the screen.
If rebooting your laptop doesn’t resolve the issues you are experiencing, you should get it professionally serviced. At Dell Exclusive, we have authorised laptop technicians to provide you the best care for your laptop issues. Visit us at one of our centres near you.
