Computer Professionals please help.

WookieeForLife · #1 09-11-2010, 02:14 PM

I want to restore my computer to factory settings and get rid of all my useless programs (all programs). I have windows Vista. I want everything I have on my computer completly gone so I can get all my memory back, any quick ways to do this.

Sonic_Death · #2 09-11-2010, 02:22 PM

You basically want to do a reinstall of Vista with a clean isntall.

As long as you have the Vista CD it's not hard to do. Just put the disc in and follow the instructions to install windows. You'll pretty much lose everything by doing this, as if you just got a new computer.

If you want to save any files, you should back them up before this.

WookieeForLife · #3 09-11-2010, 02:27 PM

This computer didn't comewith disks, instead a seperate drive for recovery. Compact Presario CQ50

xgator4u · #4 09-11-2010, 03:06 PM

Correct, the recovery is on a partition on the hard drive. Access it by pressing one of the F keys during boot up. Sorry, not sure which F key for Compaq. Trial and error, try F11, or F8 they are popular ones. This will bring up the recovery partition. or it may be accessible through the search function.

L-A · #5 09-11-2010, 03:47 PM

From HP:

Quote:

To access the HP System Recovery, turn on the computer and immediately press the esc key to display the Startup Menu, and then press the F11 key.
You can use HP Backup and Recovery Manager to restore the entire hard disk image to the original factory-shipped state. The Recovery Manager will erase all personal files and information, and then install all the original software programs and hardware drivers. There are two ways to start System Recovery.

MIJ-VI · #6 09-11-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WookieeForLife

This computer didn't comewith disks, instead a seperate drive for recovery. Compact Presario CQ50

Which one?

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...riesId=3739787

It's best to download and study its manual (especially the sections re its BIOS and the OS restoration procedure) in order to avoid any gotchas.

MIJ-VI · #7 09-11-2010, 04:11 PM

BTW. If you successfully restore your notebook's OS to its factory installed state, when you first boot up you'll likely be prompted to create a set of backup discs (I'm guessing two or three DVDs will be required thus major name brand DVD+R discs are the safest bet barring whatever is stated in the manual).

Typically this should be done when a new machine is used for the first time (before the files in the backup partition are possibly contaminated with malware via exposure to the Internet or other discs).

fdeck · #8 09-11-2010, 04:24 PM

Just another thought. I have heard bad things about Vista, though it could just be urban folklore. Still, a relatively small cash outlay will get you an "update" copy of Windows 7 home edition, and then you will always have the DVD in case you ever want to wipe your system clean and start over again.

I was helping a friend with some custom software, and he informed me that my program would not work on Windows 7, so I had to buy the update for my system in order to test the solution. The installation was painless, and the "home" version seems to be sufficient for my use.

At the same time I divvied up the hard drive to make space for a Linux distro.

Pilgrim · #9 09-11-2010, 04:28 PM

I use both, and there's nothing wrong with Vista but Win 7 is definitely smarter. A good upgrade if you can do it.

DO - DEFINITELY DO - make the backup discs. You can only make one set, so label them and store them carefully. Once your OS is on disc, you're covered. On the partition drive you're toast if the drive fails.

And it's a good idea to back up your word processing files, pictures, etc onto disc before restoring the system - because otherwise ALL the files you've created and any programs you paid for and downloaded will be erased. System restore does that.

fdeck · #10 09-11-2010, 05:10 PM

For the future... always get the OS disk. When I bought my cheap Dell notebook, there was an option to get the OS disk, at no extra charge.

WookieeForLife · #11 09-11-2010, 08:31 PM

I redid it. It was very easy. ALOT easier than I thought. Thanks.

MIJ-VI · #12 09-11-2010, 09:16 PM

Did you make backup discs?

WookieeForLife · #13 09-12-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

Did you make backup discs?

I didn't have anything to save. All important docs are on my school account.

MIJ-VI · #14 09-12-2010, 04:46 PM

No. I meant backup install discs of your notebook's operating system as a hedge against possible hard drive failure.

There should be a utility/wizard on your notebook (a how-to re its use should be in your notebook's manual) which can burn the OS install files in the hard drive's recovery partition to a set of discs.

This should be done ASAP.