Restoring to factory settings - good idea or not?

kittykat500

Got some real problems here and hope that someone can clarify what to do next!

I'm getting the msg - Autochk cannot run as the type of file system is RAW. It's a Dell PC not more than 6 months old so still under warranty. I have tried to restore the system to a previous point but when it reboots it says restore was unsuccessful because of drive failure.

I decided to run the Dell Diagnostics tool to test the entire system. This took forever but reported that the SATA drives had passed successfully and did not find any errors anywhere on the PC.

I have also gone into 'C:\ Properties 'Tools' and tried to run the check the volume for errors - this won't even start!

Internet Explorer will not work - closes immediately on opening, Firefox won't install - crashes each time, but Google Chrome works!

I have run anti-virus software Avira and PC Guard also have run CCleaner and Adware.

Data is backed up using Dell DataSafe Online so will be able to restore data anyway.

What I want to know is will restoring to factory settings overcome the 'RAW' problem and will Vista need reinstalling? Or should I contact Dell and will this problem be covered by the guarantee?

Pls enlighten me someone!! I'm not that PC literate and am totally devastated that this should happen on a 'hardly broken in' PC.

Thanks in anticipation

Jaffa.

Dell would only tell you to format using the recovery DVD's anyway, just make sure you back up all your data onto a USB stick or DVD before doing this as you will lose all data that's on the drive.

I would go with the formatting of the computer esp if you dont want to or don't have the time to fix it

kittykat500

So restoring to factory settings is the way to go then? Will I have to reinstall Vista?

Jaffa.

kittykat500 wrote: »

So restoring to factory settings is the way to go then? Will I have to reinstall Vista?

Vista will be re-installed when you 'reset to factory settings'. It will be like when you first purchased the computer

kittykat500

The only thing is, if I can't restore to a previous point, is it likely that I will be able to reset to factory settings?

Jaffa.

kittykat500 wrote: »

The only thing is, if I can't restore to a previous point, is it likely that I will be able to reset to factory settings?

Yup, it will reboot the computer and start the recovery from a hidden part of the hard drive separate from everything else

kittykat500

Cheers Jaffa

Jaffa.

No probs Just make sure you've got everything backed up (like my documents, music, pictures, bookmarks, email from outlook ect) as you will lose everything in the process

kittykat500

I don't have anything vital on it anyway and what there is is backed up on Dell online service.

Am performing factory image restore now.

Do you know if there is anyway of only allowing me to download from the Internet - putting a password on or something - as I'm sure it's my 13 yr old whose getting viruses through gaming etc.?

Jaffa.

Have a look into http://www1.k9webprotection.com

That will give you full control over the internet, uses a password to override sites (eg you can override a site thats blocked for 15 mins) I've used it in the past, their the other part of a huge company (blue coat) Their very good

macman

Remember to run Windows Updates and reinstall your AV as soon as you have done the factory restore.