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#1
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System Restore...Factory Default
I would like to know how to do a complete system restore on my computer (To
factory default). I am running Windows XP. When I start the restore wizard , the only option I have is to restore to an earler date, but that isn't what I want to do. I know there is a place to select "factory default" restore. Help! |
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#2
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System Restore...Factory Default
There are two ways to restore your computer to the way it was when it
arrived at your doorstep. WARNING: Either of these methods will completely and permanently erase your hard disk. The first method uses one or more recovery CDs or DVDs. The second method uses a recovery partition that was placed on your hard disk. Your OEM (computer assembler) provided you with at least one of these methods, and the instructions on how to use them. If you no longer have the instructions, or if they were written in a way that you have to be a PhD to understand, contact your OEM and ask for help. The instructions vary from OEM to OEM (and sometimes from model to model.) Remember to make a backup copy of any files you don't want to lose. --- Leonard Grey Errare humanum est "A Day in the Life of a Web 2.0 Hacker" - PC Magazine http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2330952,00.asp Caroline wrote: I would like to know how to do a complete system restore on my computer (To factory default). I am running Windows XP. When I start the restore wizard , the only option I have is to restore to an earler date, but that isn't what I want to do. I know there is a place to select "factory default" restore. Help! |
#3
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System Restore...Factory Default
On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 15:44:00 -0700, Caroline
wrote: I would like to know how to do a complete system restore on my computer (To factory default). I am running Windows XP. When I start the restore wizard , the only option I have is to restore to an earler date, but that isn't what I want to do. I know there is a place to select "factory default" restore. If you're trying to put everything back to the condition it was in when you first got the computer, no, there is *not* such a place within Windows. However, if your computer was bought from a major OEM vendor, the OEM very likely built such an option into the machine or the disks he provided you. This has nothing to do with the Windows System Restore feature. How to do this is not standard, but depends on your OEM, and you need to read your documentation or contact the OEM to find out how. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
#4
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System Restore...Factory Default
"Caroline" wrote in message
news I would like to know how to do a complete system restore on my computer (To factory default). I am running Windows XP. When I start the restore wizard , the only option I have is to restore to an earler date, but that isn't what I want to do. I know there is a place to select "factory default" restore. Like many others, it seems you are understandably confusing Windows System Restore with the idea of restoring your PC to its original state the day it left the factory. Windows System Restore is to be used in situtations when Windows itself (often, certain registry settings) has changed to the point where you experience certain problems. Generally, only Windows settings are affected -- not programs and data. If you want to restore your PC to its original condition, that all depends on the make and model of your PC and the method for "restoring" that the PC manufacturer provided to you. It would be one of the following methods: a. Installation CD (Dell calls these "Reinstallation CD"s): this allows you to perform a clean install of XP. However, if this is the method, you will need to track down and install the drivers (motherboard chipset, video/graphics card, network card, printer, etc.) on your own. This is done by either using disks you already have or by visiting the manufacturers' Web sites and downloading the drivers directly. b. Recovery or Restore CD: this allows you to return your PC to the status when it was fresh from the factory. Drivers are included. However, so are potentially unwanted trial programs. c. Recovery or Restore method using a hidden partition on your hard drive (usually accessed by pressing one of the "F" keys as you are booting up): similar to "b", but there is no CD. And if your hard drive is shot, this method will no longer work! Hopefully, the information is in your documentation. If not, you can use Google or post back here with make, model, and model number of your PC. |
#5
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System Restore...Factory Default
I want to use the "c" method but i dont know which "f" key is the one to
press when rebooting my computer????????? my computer is Windows XP "Daave" wrote: "Caroline" wrote in message news I would like to know how to do a complete system restore on my computer (To factory default). I am running Windows XP. When I start the restore wizard , the only option I have is to restore to an earler date, but that isn't what I want to do. I know there is a place to select "factory default" restore. Like many others, it seems you are understandably confusing Windows System Restore with the idea of restoring your PC to its original state the day it left the factory. Windows System Restore is to be used in situtations when Windows itself (often, certain registry settings) has changed to the point where you experience certain problems. Generally, only Windows settings are affected -- not programs and data. If you want to restore your PC to its original condition, that all depends on the make and model of your PC and the method for "restoring" that the PC manufacturer provided to you. It would be one of the following methods: a. Installation CD (Dell calls these "Reinstallation CD"s): this allows you to perform a clean install of XP. However, if this is the method, you will need to track down and install the drivers (motherboard chipset, video/graphics card, network card, printer, etc.) on your own. This is done by either using disks you already have or by visiting the manufacturers' Web sites and downloading the drivers directly. b. Recovery or Restore CD: this allows you to return your PC to the status when it was fresh from the factory. Drivers are included. However, so are potentially unwanted trial programs. c. Recovery or Restore method using a hidden partition on your hard drive (usually accessed by pressing one of the "F" keys as you are booting up): similar to "b", but there is no CD. And if your hard drive is shot, this method will no longer work! Hopefully, the information is in your documentation. If not, you can use Google or post back here with make, model, and model number of your PC. |
#6
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System Restore...Factory Default
"M@rt1n" wrote in message
... I want to use the "c" method but i dont know which "f" key is the one to press when rebooting my computer????????? my computer is Windows XP "Daave" wrote: "Caroline" wrote in message news I would like to know how to do a complete system restore on my computer (To factory default). I am running Windows XP. When I start the restore wizard , the only option I have is to restore to an earler date, but that isn't what I want to do. I know there is a place to select "factory default" restore. Like many others, it seems you are understandably confusing Windows System Restore with the idea of restoring your PC to its original state the day it left the factory. Windows System Restore is to be used in situtations when Windows itself (often, certain registry settings) has changed to the point where you experience certain problems. Generally, only Windows settings are affected -- not programs and data. If you want to restore your PC to its original condition, that all depends on the make and model of your PC and the method for "restoring" that the PC manufacturer provided to you. It would be one of the following methods: a. Installation CD (Dell calls these "Reinstallation CD"s): this allows you to perform a clean install of XP. However, if this is the method, you will need to track down and install the drivers (motherboard chipset, video/graphics card, network card, printer, etc.) on your own. This is done by either using disks you already have or by visiting the manufacturers' Web sites and downloading the drivers directly. b. Recovery or Restore CD: this allows you to return your PC to the status when it was fresh from the factory. Drivers are included. However, so are potentially unwanted trial programs. c. Recovery or Restore method using a hidden partition on your hard drive (usually accessed by pressing one of the "F" keys as you are booting up): similar to "b", but there is no CD. And if your hard drive is shot, this method will no longer work! Hopefully, the information is in your documentation. If not, you can use Google or post back here with make, model, and model number of your PC. As has been said: "Hopefully, the information is in your documentation. If not, you can use Google or post back here with make, model, and model number of your PC." |
#7
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System Restore...Factory Default
"Olórin" wrote in message
... "M@rt1n" wrote in message ... "Daave" wrote: c. Recovery or Restore method using a hidden partition on your hard drive (usually accessed by pressing one of the "F" keys as you are booting up): similar to "b", but there is no CD. And if your hard drive is shot, this method will no longer work! Hopefully, the information is in your documentation. If not, you can use Google or post back here with make, model, and model number of your PC. I want to use the "c" method but i dont know which "f" key is the one to press when rebooting my computer????????? my computer is Windows XP As has been said: "Hopefully, the information is in your documentation. If not, you can use Google or post back here with make, model, and model number of your PC." I'm glad someone is paying attention. :-) |
#8
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System Restore...Factory Default
"Daave" wrote: "Olórin" wrote in message ... "M@rt1n" wrote in message ... "Daave" wrote: c. Recovery or Restore method using a hidden partition on your hard drive (usually accessed by pressing one of the "F" keys as you are booting up): similar to "b", but there is no CD. And if your hard drive is shot, this method will no longer work! Hopefully, the information is in your documentation. If not, you can use Google or post back here with make, model, and model number of your PC. I want to use the "c" method but i dont know which "f" key is the one to press when rebooting my computer????????? my computer is Windows XP As has been said: "Hopefully, the information is in your documentation. If not, you can use Google or post back here with make, model, and model number of your PC." I'm glad someone is paying attention. :-) |
#9
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System Restore...Factory Default
Daave,
I also want to do a System Restore to factory settings pressing one of the F keys while rebooting. My computer is a Dell Dimension 5100. I couldn't find anything in the documentation that came with the computer and it did not come with a disk. I hope you can help. Thanks, Barbara "Daave" wrote: "Olórin" wrote in message ... "M@rt1n" wrote in message ... "Daave" wrote: c. Recovery or Restore method using a hidden partition on your hard drive (usually accessed by pressing one of the "F" keys as you are booting up): similar to "b", but there is no CD. And if your hard drive is shot, this method will no longer work! Hopefully, the information is in your documentation. If not, you can use Google or post back here with make, model, and model number of your PC. I want to use the "c" method but i dont know which "f" key is the one to press when rebooting my computer????????? my computer is Windows XP As has been said: "Hopefully, the information is in your documentation. If not, you can use Google or post back here with make, model, and model number of your PC." I'm glad someone is paying attention. :-) |
#10
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System Restore...Factory Default
"Barbara" wrote in message
... Daave, I also want to do a System Restore to factory settings pressing one of the F keys while rebooting. My computer is a Dell Dimension 5100. I couldn't find anything in the documentation that came with the computer and it did not come with a disk. I hope you can help. First, remember that System Restore is a function of Windows. See: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...w_03may19.mspx http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...emrestore.mspx and/or http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...utorial56.html If you want to determine which method you need to use to return your Dell to its original condition (since you say you could not find this is in the documentation), try Dell's support site: http://support.dell.com/ If I find the method, I'll post back. Or perhaps you or someone else may beat me to it. :-) |
#11
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System Restore...Factory Default
"Daave" wrote in message
... "Barbara" wrote in message ... Daave, I also want to do a System Restore to factory settings pressing one of the F keys while rebooting. My computer is a Dell Dimension 5100. I couldn't find anything in the documentation that came with the computer and it did not come with a disk. I hope you can help. First, remember that System Restore is a function of Windows. See: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...w_03may19.mspx http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...emrestore.mspx and/or http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...utorial56.html If you want to determine which method you need to use to return your Dell to its original condition (since you say you could not find this is in the documentation), try Dell's support site: http://support.dell.com/ If I find the method, I'll post back. Or perhaps you or someone else may beat me to it. :-) According to the Owner's Manual (pp. 49 - 52), you would use "Dell PC Restore by Symantec." quote To use PC Resto 1. Turn on the computer and watch the keyboard status lights. 2. Immediately upon seeing the lights flash, press CtrlF11. If you do not press CtrlF11 in time, let the computer finish restarting, and then restart the computer again. NOTICE: If you do not want to proceed with PC Restore, click Reboot in the following step. 3. On the next screen that appears, click Restore. 4. On the next screen, click Confirm. The restore process takes approximately 6-10 minutes to complete. 5. When prompted, click Finish to reboot the computer. NOTE: Do not manually shut down the computer. Click Finish and let the computer completely reboot. 6. When prompted, click Yes. The computer restarts. Because the computer is restored to its original operating state, the screens that appear, such as the End User License Agreement, are the same ones that appeared the first time the computer was turned on. 7. Click Next. The System Restore screen appears and the computer restarts. 8. After the computer restarts, click OK. /quote Be sure you have already saved *all* your data (photos, e-mails, music, browser favorites, office documents, etc.) first. You will also need to have the installation media for your programs so that you may reinstall them. |
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