How to restore settings?

Carmen

Hi,
A sudden power cut stopped my computer!
I had great difficulty getting back online, a friend set up a new user name to transfer from old name, this took about 5 hours, I thought that was rather a long time as there is not too much on the computer.
I could not get skype open so removed programme to set it up again. Probelm is, I cannot get it set up, I get to 'run, run, install' then there is an error.
Is it possible to restore computer to old setting, say a week ago?
Sorry for the essay:)
Carmen x

crampo_2

Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. This Is For Vista . Path Should Be Similar For XP.

Or go Start > Run or windows button + R and type in "rstrui.exe" without ""

Select "Select different restore point" . find a point near where you want and then go from there

-TangleFoot-

Carmen wrote: »

...a friend set up a new user name to transfer from old name, this took about 5 hours, I thought that was rather a long time as there is not too much on the computer.

If your friend merely created a new user account for you it should have taken no more than five minutes. The usual consequence of a power cut is corrupt data, which is usually solved by running a disk check and reinstalling things. That takes time - and lots of it.

Have you tried downloading the Skype installer to an alternative location (such as the desktop) and running it from there? It's possible your original download has been corrupted in some way.

Carmen

Hi,
I have tried Crampos' advice, although it has restored back to 1/1 I still have the same probelm with skype Grrr! Although my friend said I could no longer use my old user name would the restore recognise my new name?
Tanglefoot, my friend says there seems to be rather a lot going on within this computer (task manager showing 80%/100%) for only domestic use.
I will try your option with skype.
Thanks
Carmen x

Carmen

:mad: No joy, it is so frustrating. All my pictures seem to have disappeared too
Carmen x

crampo_2

Have you got any spare HDD's that you could use? and copy of the OS or if your computer was brought from a shop > manafacture restore to default disks?

-TangleFoot-

Carmen wrote: »

my friend said I could no longer use my old user name

They were probably referring to your user account, which has nothing to do with Skype or anything else you might use online. It's just somewhere to keep your stuff when you're using the computer.

Your pictures will be in your previous account; press [WinKey]+[E] on your keyboard and use Explorer to navigate to the Documents and Settings folder. What do you see?

Carmen

Hi Again,
I will look to see if I have any restore disks, not sure what HDD is:o
Tangle foot I have tried your suggestion and I cannot get into old user name account!

-TangleFoot-

Carmen wrote: »

I cannot get into old user name account!

Could you elaborate on that? If you're using Windows Vista the instructions I gave you aren't valid anyway!

FYI, a HDD is the little box of tricks that stores all your precious data.

crampo_2

HDD = Hard Disk Drive

It Stores basically all your data , the operating system , drivers (little bits of software for your hardware)

Carmen

When my friend changed my user name, to try and move documents, pictures etc to new account, he said I would not be able to use old name again
Apparently he said vista would not allow him to just move all the 'stuff' from old account to new, so he needed to make a third account too!
I understood what he meant, but did not understand why
I hasten to add that he only got as far as opening the new accounts because of the time it took (see first post)
I only hope this makes sense to you
Thanks for the HDD meaning!
Carmen x