How do I return my PC back to stock?

Question

I have an old laptop (3yrs) that I would like to return back to how it was when it was new so I can give it to my sister to use. I'd like to if possible literally uninstall everything on the computer, then reinstall everything using the provided cd's. Can anyone give me tips on where to begin doing this?

Answer 1

If it's an OEM machine go ahead and insert the operating software disc, (sometime called system recovery) This will prompt you that by proceeding it will reformat the drive, thus erasing it's content. In this case that is ok, assuming that you took all the important stuff off already. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

well cleaning the thing out is easy
you take what you want
pop in a operation system disc like windows
and select format everything
wait about 1 hour
it installs new copy of windows with everything remove except for basic programs

Answer 3

You don't need to uninstall any programs. You just need to reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows. There is a great article from Lifehacker.com which give step-by-step instructions on how to reinstall Windows XP and return your computer back to when you first got it. It provides illustrations as well to walk you through the process.

"Geek to Live: How to format your hard drive and install Windows XP from scratch" -- written by Gina Tripani, lifehacker.com (http://www.lifehacker.com/software/windows/geek-to-live-how-to-format-your-hard-drive-and-install-windows-xp-from-scratch-157578.php)


"Hey, Windows XP users: The blue screen of death got you down? Missing dll errors making you frown? Frequent software crashes leave you yearning for that fresh, new PC you unpacked with glee three years ago? If you've scrubbed for spyware and viruses, defragged, chkdsked and done the requisite rain dance but things are STILL wonky on your computer, it may be time for extreme action.

Today we're going to go over how to format your hard drive and reinstall Windows XP from scratch to get back that shiny new operating system feeling untainted by years of wear, tear and added and removed programs.

Note for the tremulous: I cannot tell a lie; reinstalling an operating system is NOT a trivial task. There are several junctures where lots of things can go wrong that can affect the way your PC functions FOREVER. Further, this isn't a task one can complete in just a few hours. There are lots of ways to fix PC problems before reinstalling Windows, a fresh install should be an absolute last resort. It took me three years - one which involved installing and uninstalling programs almost daily - to get to the point of reinstalling Windows. You have been warned.

Still with me? Good.

What you'll need:

1. A Windows XP machine in dire need of a fresh start
(Without any crucial, un-backedup data on it)
2. A Windows XP installation CD with a valid Product Key
(Preferably the disc that shipped with the computer originally, in which case the Product Key won't be obviously listed)
3. The CDs and serial numbers of all the software you need to install on your fresh "new" machine
4. Hardware driver discs that shipped with the PC and any components you added on
(Optional, but VERY strongly recommended)
5. Another 'net-connected computer of any OS persuasion with a CD burner, thumb drive, or other removable disk
(Optional, but strongly recommended, for looking up stuff and downloading drivers in case of emergency)
6. One full day to get your PC fully functioning again.

Got all that? Good.

Let's get started.
Step 1. Back up your data.

First, make sure absolutely NOTHING you cannot afford to lose is on the drive you're going to install Windows on (let's say the C: drive.) Move all your documents and settings off the machine. Back up your Firefox settings with MozBackup, export your Quicken file, SyncBack profiles, Apache configuration and absolutely anything else that you want restored after you're done. Just make sure it's off the machine that's going under the knife.
Step 2. Audit your current PC setup.

Once upon a time, I did tech support for Windows 95 PCs, when "Plug and Play" was a fairly new concept that was rightly referred to as "Plug and Pray" amongst my disgruntled technician co-workers. Today, Windows XP is eons ahead of 95 in terms of its amazing ability to detect all the hardware in your computer and install the right drivers for it. HOWEVER, it's still not perfect. PC's come with a whole wide range of video cards and network adaptors and Bluetooth thingamajiggers, and it's very possible you'll install XP and it won't know exactly what brand of TV tuner card you've got and how to find the driver for it.

So, before we do anything, we're going to take an inventory of all the hardware you've currently got installed. I used to print a report from Device Manager for this purpose (Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager, Action, Print) but a handy little utility called Belarc Advisor [via Nicholas Roussos] does a nicer job than Device Manager. Belarc will create a report detailing your system, its installed hardware components, software applications and serial numbers. Download the free Belarc, run a report and print it out. Keep it nearby for reference later.

Note: for those of you who do not have the driver discs for all your hardware - go ahead and print out the report from Device Manager in addition to the Belarc report. You'll need all the help you can get, you brave souls.
Step 3. Take a deep breath, and say goodbye to everything on your C: drive.

Seriously. It's all going away now. Nervous? Revisit steps 1 & 2...[More]"