HP computer support!?

Question

My main goal is to have my computer back to where it came “out of the box”. I’m having trouble with the registry, trouble with uninstalling programs, old folders and files, etc. I have a HP desktop a1600n computer with Windows XP pre-installed. I do not know much about computers and what the best options are to fix it. It’s a new computer. Please help me.

1)What is the difference between Recovery Disks and the Recovery option in PC HELP TOOLS? Do they do the same thing, and if so, what exactly do they do?

2)What is the difference between a non destructive recovery and a destructive recovery? Are they both safe to do to a new computer?

3)Will a NON destructive recovery restore my registry, programs, folders, like it was when it came “out of the box”, or do I NEED to do a destructive recovery for that?

4)What do I do if my computer is asking me to insert a Windows CD? My XP came pre-installed.

5)With a non destructive and destructive recovery, what kind of data/files/programs will I lose? Will it mess up my hard drive and Operating System? I’m not very computer literate.

Please get back to me with the detailed answers to these questions. Thank you very, very much!

Answer 1

destructive will remove all data and programs u have put on the machine since u got it but is probably the best option ... but first u will want to backup all ur important things like pics, and docs, and internet bookmarks ... stuff like that.

Answer 2

1)What is the difference between Recovery Disks and the Recovery option in PC HELP TOOLS? Do they do the same thing, and if so, what exactly do they do?


Recovery Disks normally have a factory image of what your computer was "out of the box". When you use these you are restoring the original factory settings. The Recovery option allows you to make backups of your computer and application settings so that you can recover to a current or previous state as opposed to going all the way back to a factory restore.


2)What is the difference between a non destructive recovery and a destructive recovery? Are they both safe to do to a new computer?

Non-destructive normally means it will not format the partition, but it is best to check with each manufacturer on what their meaning is regarding non-destructive. Destructive means that everything will be wiped off of your computer.


3)Will a NON destructive recovery restore my registry, programs, folders, like it was when it came “out of the box”, or do I NEED to do a destructive recovery for that?

This is really manufacturer specific, but it would normally place the computer back at either a factory state or a state that pertains to a particular date.


4)What do I do if my computer is asking me to insert a Windows CD? My XP came pre-installed.

There's really nothing you can do. You need a version of the XP CD. Normally vendors are supposed to do a full installation. You would probably have to contact HP.

5)With a non destructive and destructive recovery, what kind of data/files/programs will I lose? Will it mess up my hard drive and Operating System? I’m not very computer literate.

If you do a destructive recovery you would lose everything. The non-destructive recovery depends on which backup file you use. For example if you do not have any backup file you would lose all of your current program settings.

Best thing to do is make sure your data is backed up before proceeding any further.

Answer 3

Ok, the recovery disk comes with a computer from the factory (usually) and is used to restore the hard drive to the original factory condition after a fatal error. The recovery option "turns the clock back" in history and reloads the last best known working configuration of your computer by dates. This will only work if that option has been turned on in WinXP. A NON-destuctive restore does NOT destroy any data or program files on your computer, it simply compares the files of the hard drive operating system to the original WinXP installation disc and repairs the files that do not match exactly to the files on the installation CD. A destructive recovery is basically, formatting the hard drive and reloading WinXP and losing all of your programs, drivers, and data. HP has a partition on your hard drive where the recovery data is, if you format the hard drive this too will be gone. You have to contact HP and have them mail a recovery CD to you, and this will cost you some money. Have you scanned for viruses, spyware, and adware? I suggest that you do this before trashing the hard drive in anyway. Use AVG Antivirus, Ad-Aware, Spy-bot Search and Destroy, and Windows Defender. Download and update each of these and then run them normally and then in again in "Safe Mode". All of these programs are free and do a wonderful job. You may find that you will not have to do all the work involved in a complete recovery. If you do have to do a destructive recovery, backup as much of your data to cd or dvd as you can or backup to an external hard drive or to a second internal hard drive.

Answer 4

humorous, human beings imagine Ubuntu will artwork on any computer. If it would not comprehend your hardware, it received't artwork or perhaps boot as a lot as any exhibit screen. in certain circumstances it is going to throw a black exhibit screen with a container transferring round that announces Frequency Out Of variety (with some wide exhibit screen computer screen contraptions). Boot it as a LiveCD and verify it out, if it really works, then your answer is certain.