restore PC & laptop to factory settings

cindyhove

How do i restore a dell pc and sony vaio laptop (both running on xp)to factory settings?

Thanks

Browntoa

you should have a "restore" disk that either came with them when you bought them or you made when you started using the PC or Laptop

you change the BIOS to boot from the CD and pop the CD in, it restores it to the factory settings

zacspeed_2

What problems are you having with the laptop to warrant restoring it?

intel

Ere on Dells isnt it F11 on start up :think:

Browntoa

forgot that

depends how old the Dell is though ??

wonderfullife_2

Hi
Its either F2 or F12, (can't remember which one) tap before it boots up to windows, and this will take you to the restore/factory settings menu.

Hope this helps

cindyhove

i think ive already chucked out the original discs!
The only reason I want to restore is because they were mine and now I want the kids to be able to use them to their full capabilities. All the data etc slows them down so much even tho I deleted everything I [possibly could.

Browntoa

try downloading crapcleaner from

www.ccleaner.com

and running this option first to clear up all the rubbish

http://www.ccleaner.com/showscreen.asp?id=1

then go to this option

http://www.ccleaner.com/showscreen.asp?id=3

scan and fix all the issues, you may need to run it a couple of times to clean everything

finally go to this option

http://www.ccleaner.com/showscreen.asp?id=5

and see if there any programs running on startup that are no longer required (you may need to "Google" the file to find out what it is but it tells you waht most are as in the picture )

intel

cindyhove wrote:

i think ive already chucked out the original discs!
The only reason I want to restore is because they were mine and now I want the kids to be able to use them to their full capabilities. All the data etc slows them down so much even tho I deleted everything I [possibly could.

I think not to sure tho.... If you hassle Dell and say you never got any restore
discs they may send them out, also I think its still F11 :think:

T4i

Perform a PC Restore of the operating system.
To perform a restore of the operating using PC Restore, perform the following steps:


NOTE:
Dell PC Restore by Symantec is available on Dimension and Inspiron systems that shipped on or after 7/16/2004 in the Americas and 8/30/2004 in Europe.

---

Power the computer on.
When the Dell screen appears press and hold the <Ctrl> key on the keyboard, press the <F11> key, then release them both at the same time.
The Dell PC Restore by Symantec window appears.

NOTE:
Press the keys one time only. If you press them more than once, a keyboard error occurs and the process has to be initiated again.
Click the Restore button or press the <Tab> key to highlight Restore and press the <Enter> key.
A caution message appears advising that all data will be lost.
Click the Confirm button or press the <Tab> key to highlight Confirm and press the <Enter> key.
The Progress window appears. Once the process is begun, Dell PC Restore usually takes only 8 to 10 minutes to complete.
When the restore is complete, the message The system recovery process was successful appears.
Click the Finish button or press the <Tab> key to highlight Finish and press the <Enter> key.
The computer will restart.

Your software is now as it was when you first received your computer.

dinkie_2

Hi

Just had to do first format on first Dell. Wasn't sure what I was doing, to be honest, especially regarding partitions, but it was much more straightforward than I thought, and no problems at all. It'll wipe your drivers (and all the extra ISP trial stuff and other trial programs, thankfully), but I was able to get all but one driver from the Dell downloads site (put in your TAG number and it'll take you to the relevant download page).

I asked for the resourceCD particularly a couple of weeks ago, and they were great in sending a pack out, but for an Inspiron notebook rather than the Dimension 1100 I have! Still waiting for the right pack, but it's due to hopefully arrive on Wednesday. Only the Sonic driver on the Dell site is an upgrade; I got a message saying it could not install as it could not find the original program (but I take it that will be solved by installing that from the resourceCD when it arrives).

To format: With the XP disk in CD drive, restart and boot from the CD. I think next it asked if you want to clean off previous XP installations (yes) and then information about partitions comes up. Choose the largest partition, the non-FAT one, for the installation. And then just follow the XP installation process, setting your keyboard etc to UK. (Gadget Show's on now, and the guy on there recommends not choosing the XP quick format option, but the longer format, as this cleans deeper.)

Regards, Cat