Reimaging Guideline Dell Computers
Updated at July 16th, 2025
Criteria for reimaging:
- Turn computer on > Blue screen
- Turn computer on > Dell logo screen with spinning wheel
Steps to determine if the computer needs to be reimaged:
-
Check bios settings are correct (reboot pressing F2 button). If not correct, change them:
- Boot Configuration > Turn off secure boot
- Storage > AHCI
- Power > Disable Deep Sleep
- System Management > LAN or WAN
- If correct, run hardware diagnostics.
-
Run hardware diagnostics (reboot pressing F12 button)
- Select hardware diagnostics > run test
- If the test comes back with or without errors, update the firmware.
- If the computer is still not working and had hardware errors, contact Dell.
- If the computer is still not working and did NOT have hardware errors, reimage.
Exceptions:
You were in the middle of running windows updates. Roll back windows updates (Karsten to make HJ article).
Reimage tools:
Your recovery kit should include:
-
1 external harddrive that should contain a copy of your computer image
- There should also be a copy on the server. If you are unable to locate both copies, please contact SmartLab support.
- 2 usbs (both should have Clonezilla)
- Clonezilla usb (always update to newer clonezilla https://smartlab.helpjuice.com/admin/questions/2636416-creating-a-clonezilla-bootable-usb)
Common Issues:
Plugging in the hard drive with the image before the computer asks you to.
Resolution: Unplug the image drive, restart from the beginning.
Drives formatted incorrectly:
External hard drive formatted NTFS: right click on the drive > properties
Clonezilla: formatted as FAT32
