Robert in CA wrote:
I switched the hd's so I'm on #3 now.

#3 is brand new, Its the clone where all this started with the
'Invalid Windows OS' message at the end after I had booted it.
So it's a copy of the original but tainted but as long as I have the
original 1TB which I put in a static bag/box and the Mrimgs I
shouldn't loose anything. So we can proceed.

I'm still on clear on the procedure you want me to do? Restart
the computer and hit F8 and then what? I restarted it and pressed F8
so do you want me to use the command prompt with networking?

https://postimg.cc/bs6JXwvt

I went back and saw your instructions:

OK, using the 2TB clone drive, installed in the XPS 8500,
plus your Macrium CD, Macrium CD has a File Explorer icon
in the lower left. See if you can open the 26GB partition
called Restore or Recovery or whatever, then navigate to
"Tools" folder, and double click the "pcrestore.exe" file.
It may depend then, on whether the Macrium CD is 32 bit or
64 bit, as to whether the "pcrestore.exe" can run or not.

https://postimg.cc/5X6tfWHk

https://postimg.cc/Mf6W4C25 Recovery is D: so it mounts

https://postimg.cc/t7kRP4WM What's in AUTORUN.INF ? Text ? It may have
the name of an executable.

https://postimg.cc/mt6bXpd3

https://postimg.cc/YvGtJNV5

I didn't see any Tools folder only the Tools Tab and when I clicked it
it only had Map Network Drive.

I assume this procedure is for after we restore the computer and
I put the original hd back in the 8500? Also am I using the #3 2TB
HD that we just restored for this?

1TB 8500 disk == 2TB new disk with nothing on it ==
then "D: pcrestore" using Macrium CD boot and that 2TB
and see if the 2TB behaves itself with no freezing when
booted.

Thoughts/suggestions?

Robert

Well, you know that approximately 26GB or so partition, has
a "factory.wim" in it, which is an image of the useful parts
of Factory C: .

Perhaps the Dell folder has such materials.

Also, examine the "autoruns.inf" file at the top level
of the 26GB partition. Usually, it has the name of an
executable. It could be staged in the Windows folder
or the Windows\System32 folder.

*******

This is an example of using F8.

It's "Repair My Computer" at the top.

https://www.insidemylaptop.com/facto...windows-vista/

After some additional farting around, the bottom item on
one of the screens has "Dell Factory Image Restore". Normally,
the Microsoft version of that menu page has five items.
Dell has added a sixth at the bottom. But that only happens,
if the 26GB partition gets booted.

And when users install Windows 10 with a Dell setup like that,
apparently the path to get there gets upset a bit. So if you
were wondering "is this method bulletproof, will it always be there",
the answer is definitely not. The wiring is tentative and can
get damaged, making it harder for a user to get there.

But you, with your collection of MRIMG files, each
having copies of the 26GB partition, you'll never lack
for a route back to Factory restore :-)

We'll get this done eventually. Maybe even today
with some luck, right?

Paul