Thanks for your prompt reply.
No, unfortunately, I do not see any blue strip appear after the Dell screen disappears. I did have the system Acronis Recovery Manager activated and wondered if that might be interferring since it also requires hitting the F11 key just after the Dell logo, so I inactivated that, but still no blue strip, just blank screen until Windows boots up.
From what I've read the Unknown FAT32 partition surely contains the PC Restore files (the other small partition holding the Diagnostic utilities, as I understand) Neither I or anyone else has messed with the existing partitions, the DSR parition removal utility or restored the system before. In fact, it's never even been backed up before now. So, I can't understand how it has become disabled or the MBR over-written. And I did try accessing the Restore screen a couple of times before installing Acronis True Image, so I can't see that that was the cause.
Yes, I have wondered whether this created OS Recovery CD might serve the same function i.e. simply reinstalling the OS, Restore and Diagnostic files in the respective partitions, but I suspect you are right. The set-up screen looks like a typical windows installation set-up, and so presumably I'd lose the Restore and Diagnostic files also, unless I recreate the partitions and restore the files from the Acronis back-up. And would it work even then. What a hassle.
Should I maybe try a Repair install. There is that option on the CD set-up, but I suspect it will tell me that the system is now 'newer' and that a clean install is required.
I did come across the 'Inside the Dell PC Restore Partition' whilst searching for answers. Rather over my head, but I guess I could give it a go. I think I have some floppys somewhere. I'll look at the other docs you referenced also.
Thanks alot.