How to use Recovery Disk

f107btx

Could someone please help. My next door neighbors computer running Windows ME is acting up takes ages to load etc.We are both novices.The computer only had a Recovery Disk supplied with it.My question is will it be ok to run Recovery Disk and will windows be reinstalled .If not can someone help me .

Thank You

Mr_Skint_2

Well if its a fresh install you just pop it in the drive and restart the PC
(hopefully) this in all wipe all files and folders and ISP settings so if you dont know whats what I would back-up or write down email settings, also I suspect that all the files or pictures that have been put on the PC by the owner will be deleted/wiped.

And just remember that you will have to make sure that you have the drivers
for the Monitor, Sound, Modem, and any other perirherals...

Also go to the manufacturers website they usually have some useful info.

f107btx

Thanks for your speddy reply

The computer in question is not using the internet there is a Monitor disk.I was wondering if I could download Sound Card etc. and where from(I am a true Novice)

Thanks

ABH_3

f107btx wrote:

Could someone please help. My next door neighbors computer running Windows ME is acting up takes ages to load etc.We are both novices.The computer only had a Recovery Disk supplied with it.My question is will it be ok to run Recovery Disk and will windows be reinstalled .If not can someone help me .

Thank You

You should be aware that running a "Recovery Disk" will unless you have everything backed up. Destroy ALL of your files and any work that your neighbour has done since s\he took pocession of the computer. This means ALL emails shall be deleted, all internet settings for your ISP, all games, all driver updates ... Everything! It will put the system back into the state in which it arrived. It's an extreme step.

Personally speaking, as you say you are both "novices" I would advise you to take the system to a PC Repair shop and ask them to backup everything on your system for you and to do a fresh install of the operating system. Rather than do it yourself. This is especially the case if you haven't got all work\emails etc backed up on some kind of storage device. As otherwise your next post here is going to be asking "Where have all the files gone?".

On the other hand, if you have an idea as to what occured with the system before it started to "go slow", then perhaps someone here could hazzard a guess. BUT if you aren't sure or don't feel competant, then for the sake of £40 or so, you could have someone who knows what they are doing undertake the job for you.

HTH

Mr_Skint_2

Well if you restore the PC to out of the box factory settings you will have all the drivers on the restore disc or a a application and support CD.......

If you want you can always go to https://www.driverguide.com and enter Username, Drivers
and a Password of All, and then download the drivers and copy them to CD or Floppy (if they will fit)......

You will need to find your drivers aswell... Its only a trial but http://www.driverguidetoolkit.com/

f107btx

ABH wrote:

You should be aware that running a "Recovery Disk" will unless you have everything backed up. Destroy ALL of your files and any work that your neighbour has done since s\he took pocession of the computer. This means ALL emails shall be deleted, all internet settings for your ISP, all games, all driver updates ... Everything! It will put the system back into the state in which it arrived. It's an extreme step.

Personally speaking, as you say you are both "novices" I would advise you to take the system to a PC Repair shop and ask them to backup everything on your system for you and to do a fresh install of the operating system. Rather than do it yourself. This is especially the case if you haven't got all work\emails etc backed up on some kind of storage device. As otherwise your next post here is going to be asking "Where have all the files gone?".

On the other hand, if you have an idea as to what occured with the system before it started to "go slow", then perhaps someone here could hazzard a guess. BUT if you aren't sure or don't feel competant, then for the sake of £40 or so, you could have someone who knows what they are doing undertake the job for you.

HTH

My Neighbor cannot afford £40 she is disabled and on a low income.She has backed up her files and we thought there may be a simple way to solve the problem The computer is E Machine and about 5 years old. When it was delivered Everything was preinstalled with only a recovery and monitor disk.

Thanks for your help

ABH_3

f107btx wrote:

My Neighbor cannot afford £40 she is disabled and on a low income.She has backed up her files and we thought there may be a simple way to solve the problem The computer is E Machine and about 5 years old. When it was delivered Everything was preinstalled with only a recovery and monitor disk.

Thanks for your help

FWIW I used the sum of £40 as an example. It may cost less, or of course it may cost more. But you could ring a shop up and ask them first before dragging the computer down to any particular shop. That said, it should be an easy task to run the "Recovery Disk" seeing as you say your neighbours data is backed up. The usual way of doing this is to:

1) Insert disk into appropriate drive.
2) Reboot the computer.
3) Read menu - follow prompts.

You may also like to read this as it maybe relevant:
http://www.emachines.com/support/view_faq.html?faq=1004997538&topic=1

Q: Why has my Windows Me pre-release license has expired? top

A:

If you boot your system or use your recovery CD after 9/16/00, and receive an error message stating:

"WARNING: Your license for this pre-release software has expired, please upgrade to the final product immediately. This pre-release version of Windows Millennium will expire on the 1st December 2000. After this date you will no longer be able to use this software. Press any key to continue."

Or if you use the recovery CD AFTER 12/01/00, and receive the following message:

"Error: This pre-release version of Windows has expired. Contact your vendor for a new version of Microsoft Windows Millennium. Press any key to continue."
Reload the system using the restore process.

1. Load Disk 1 of the Restore CD set and restart the computer.
2. When the error message appears, press any key to continue: WARNING: Your license for this pre-release software has expired, please upgrade to the final product immediately. This pre-release version of Windows Millennium will expire...
3. Select "1" from the 'Microsoft Window Millennium Startup Menu'.
4. Press any key to continue when the 'Restore HDD from CD-ROM' menu item appears.
5. Type the letter 'Y' when prompted for confirmation.
6. The restore process should start. Insert the 2nd Restore CD when prompted and press the enter key.
7. Once the restore process is complete the system will generate the following message: "Windows Millennium Restore Complete." Remove the Restore CD from the CD-ROM drive.
8. Press any key to reboot the computer.


If the system boots to an OEM reset reminder screen:
Click the 'Shut Down' button on the OEM Reset Reminder Dialogue box.
The system will enter shut down mode
Power the system down by depressing the green On/Off button (on the case) for five seconds.
Wait 30 seconds and restart the machine.

HTH