How-To Restore/Reset your Computer to Factory Settings

[Joey]

@AudreyPrincesa Hope this helps 

After you have backed up all of your files (Office Docs, music, movies, pics and other important data) you do not wish to permanently delete you can proceed to Restore your PC to its original Factory Settings...

1. Insert the CD or DVD that came with your computer (if you have multiple CDs insert CD 1). For those of you that did not receive any CDs/DVD with your computer it is probably built-in to it. Proceed to Step 2.

2. Shut down your computer

3. Turn on your computer and look closely at the screen for a message that pops up which says something like.... PRESS ANY KEY TO... Boot to the CD/DVD, Start to the Computer to CD/DVD or a similar message (there is a very small change this part if automated and it will start to it automatically)

4. When the CD or DVD fully loads it might ask you to choose between 2 options... Destructive or Restore with Backup (I've seen about 50 different messages, I am not sure about the exact 1 that will pop-up on your screen)
Choose the Destructive option or the one that fully kills all data to the max. The reason for this is b/c if you have a virus it will be the only option to kill it.

5.From there just follow all the on-screen instructions. Reimaging/Restoring your computer to it's original factory settings will take 45 minutes to 2 hours. Most of the process will be automated.


If anybody has any questions feel free to ask. I've done this over 100 times :-D

[debrah.h48]

There is nothing more frustrating than when your trusty computer starts doing things it is not supposed to. When error messages pop up from nowhere and Microsoft files that came with the computer just disappear. There are a few reasons that can cause this and one of the main reason is a virus of larger or lesser degree. Power spikes can cause problems in your operating system and even regular Windows updates can cause issues you never had before. Now you can fix it yourself and it is free.

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS: Firstly, It is important to know the difference between a SYSTEM RESTORE or SYSTEM RECOVERY . Restoring your system to a previous date when the computer worked fine may do the trick and to do this click start, click help and support and under Pick a Task, click Undo changes to your computer with System Restore, Follow the instructions on the wizard.

A more radical remedy may be required when your hard drive will not boot up, or when you can't get the computer to navigate through the windows you need for a restore point reset. This radical resetting of the computer is called a system recovery (not a system restore) This will put your computer back to factory settings but you will lose any files you had like pictures, music and word documents.

[Jrbx]

does this get rid of viruses?

[Joey]

does this get rid of viruses?

When you use the Windows Restore CD/DVD or Restore method on your computer it will sometimes give you 2 options for the restore. On my work computers is offers a Regular Restore or Destructive Restore. The Destructive Restore will wipe out the viruses. It will also wipe out any files you have on it like pics, music, movies, office files, etc. When reinstalling Windows I always use the Destructive Restore. It is always the best method for me, even if there are no viruses no the PC.

NOTE: The terminology used by each computer manufacturer is different. Just select the option that Sounds like it is the Harshest option. That will kill the viruses while at the same time bringing back your PC to the same state it was when it was brand new.

[Raphael]

On my toshiba computer i dont even need the cd

[smithpeter]

First of all you can click on start tag and then select accessories menu then you can get system restore option. In that menu you get option for select system restore option point for computer system. You can select that system restore point as per your computer system setting and then you can easily restore your computer system.

[jimmycarrythomas]

System Restore is a tool for creating Windows XP and Windows Vista that lets you undo the registry to a previous state. Note that not "restore" the previous configuration to the registry and Windows system files. You can use System Restore to remove spyware, but if System Restore does not resolve your problem, you must use a clean install of the operating system or use your recovery CD / DVD.

[gee18]

1. boot up machine
2. tap f8 when in process of starting up
3. find an option named "fix my computer"
4. follow on screen instructions from there because all computer brands and models have different page layouts. just look for the option that says system reset or just read the text under the options.