A friend of mine got a new laptop and passed the old one down to me. However, she didn't delete anything and I'd like to just delete everything and go back to as if it were new. Plz help asap ....it's a Compaq Presario 2100 intel celeron w/ XP laptop if that helps at all.
2007-05-23 04:50:51 · 14 answers · asked by ? 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
you could always get a new hardrive(sp?)
2007-05-23 04:54:24 · answer #1 · answered by LITTLE GREEN GOD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you got the original XP CD or Restore Disk that came with the laptop when purchased, that is the best way to "refresh" everything.
Put the disk in the CD drive and reboot the PC. It should start a Windows install program. At some point it may prompt you about whether you want to format or restore the hard drive (varies by manufacturer on exact wording). Let it format the disk (use NTFS if it gives you a choice), wait about half an hour, and you should be back to "day one" again.
This is usually better then using the "Restore Point" method because it does not always clear everything the old user added to the PC.
Good luck....
2007-05-23 11:58:57 · answer #2 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The easiest solution is to use the PC Recovery.
I just did a PC Recovery on my HP (Compaq Presario-V5000) notebook. Boot your computer, and at the "splash" screen press F11 and hold it for a few seconds. It will boot right to the recovery partition. Follow the directions (it's very easy) and the PC will "recover" in approx. 25 minutes. You will only have to press a couple of keys and it will do everything else on it's own. Everything on your computer, (software, drivers, utilities, etc.) will be on the PC when the recovery is complete. The files, pic's, music, passwords, toolbars etc. will be gone. In other words, all personal files are gone. It is a much better and much easier solution than a PC restore or reformat and re-install. If you need any help with it, post and I can walk you through it. Good Luck!
2007-05-23 12:35:11 · answer #3 · answered by Cindy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello Donna; If you've got the CDs that came with the laptop, (companies like CompUSA are notorious for NOT including them!) you're in much better shape than if not!
If you don't have the CDs, then you're stuck with trying the "Restore" option, mentioned by another user... if you are lucky enough to have a restore date setup...
Next in having a company made Restore CD... this will also be of help... you'll never see any of the files left behind, even though they'd be there, hidden in the background... a forensics team for example would be able to recover those files.
Since you've asked this question, I'll assume your knowledge of computers is minimal (no problem there either!), there's a program called Window Washer 6 out there, you can download for a free trial from www.download.com... type in window washer, and select download when you scroll down to the program. I am not certain if the drive wiping option is available in the "trial" program, but it would be worth buying it!
I hope this helped!
Marcos
2007-05-23 12:21:18 · answer #4 · answered by Mark MacIver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully you have the all the CDs that originally came with the laptop and BE SURE there's nothing on it you want saved (software programs, documents, other files). You can use the manufacturer's restore discs that should come with the laptop. Pop them in and follow the instructions. This will restore the machine to exactly like it was the day it was bought.
Once that it is done DON'T FORGET to update Windows so it is secure and up to date. (this is done by opening Internet Explorer then: Tools>Windows Update once it is connected to the internet).
Hope this helps
2007-05-23 11:58:10 · answer #5 · answered by John S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get your hands on the recovery discs... backup everything you need to keep (eg pics, docs, music, all that) to an external drive / CD's / DVD's / whatever...
Stick the recovery discs in and look for an option to re-format your disc. Failing that, insert the windows disc, and choose to create a new XP installation. when the disc opion comes up, choose to delete any and all partitions on C:\ and start from scrathc from there :)
2007-05-23 11:55:14 · answer #6 · answered by Beebs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I AM VERY SORRY BUT MOST OF THE SOLUTIONS GIVEN IN DETAIL TO U ARE USELESS AND HARMFULL TOO.
The best one is two start your laptop.Put a windows xp cd.click on install xp.will get option to upgrade or new installation .choose new installation.follow the instructions.will get an option to delete the partitions.delete,reformat and install.do not forget to backup all the driver copies if on system.install them after os installation is over.
Enjoy!!!
rohit[dot]sunjava[at]gmail[dot]com
2007-05-23 12:00:08 · answer #7 · answered by rohit k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly save all important information in a cd or whatever then go 2 my computers right click on your main disc there'll b an option-FORMAT click on it , ALL DATA WILL
BE DELETED N CLEANED n your laptop will b as good as it was on day 1.
2007-05-23 11:57:28 · answer #8 · answered by cliffhanger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would reccomend formatting the hard drive. You go to "My Computer", right click on your hard drive (usualy Disk C) and click format. You will need your original Windows XP Disk to do that. You will after that process need to reinstall Windows XP.
2007-05-23 11:55:07 · answer #9 · answered by altinnovation 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
system restore
1- click start at bottom of screen
2 - then click choose all programs
3 - then click pc help tools or could be in accessorys
4 - then click on system restore
5 - then click on restore to an earlier date or factory settings
6 - choose a date when it was working - or factory settings
7 - let it run it may take a while - follow directions - if any
8 - if does not work - restart THEN CHECK STATUS
choose destructive recovery as last resort you will have to look hard to find this option
i don"t know your computers options etc
BUT thats what it took to restore mine to get settings i wanted etc
BACK UP IMPORTANT THINGS TO CD NO MATTER WHAT OPTION(S) YOU CHOOSE
-------------------------------------
add and remove programs
click start bottom left on task bar
control panel
add and remove programs
find the program(s) you want to remove
choose remove
reinsall if needed
check status as you do it
2007-05-23 11:53:35 · answer #10 · answered by Q&A Answer Mans Retired 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
put in the windows or start up disc delete the windows version that is on it now format the disc and install a fresh copy
2007-05-23 11:54:49 · answer #11 · answered by zippo091 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋