how do I recover my pc to its original state when I brought it?

Question

the sytem is windows 2000xp intel celeron thats all I know thanks for your help

it didnt come with a cd windows was allready installed only have instruction book

format??????

Answer 1

If it is an HP or Compaq then there is a hidden partition on the hard drive that has the system restore on it. You have to hit F10 or F2 to get into the bios restore then it will format your primary partition and restore it to factory defaults.

There is are detailed instructions on the HP and Compaq support sites for how to do this. Each system is a little different so it is hard to tell how here.

If it is not an HP or Compaq then you can probably get a set of restore disks from the vendor.

Sorry I do not recall the function key but there should be a message when you boot asking if you want to run diagnostics or get into the Bios and that is the one.

Answer 2

Most PC manufacturers will include a system recovery cd with your computer. If you have that put the disc into the cd-rom drive and reboot the computer. Watch the black screen and you'll see an option to "Press any key to boot from CD." Hit any key on the keyboard and it will launch the cd. You'll then have several options on what to do next. Pick the option that best suits your needs and go from there.

Answer 3

aside from doing all of the above and going to the system restore screen there is a way that you can reset the computer to the factory defaults (ie the state it was in when you bought it). when you turn it on hit either f10, f11 or f12 over and over again and it should take you to a screen where you can have the BIOS reset everything on your computer. though this does mean you will lose everything. check the back of your instruction book. THIS IS ONLY A LAST RESORT !!!

Answer 4

Turn off your computer then turn it on again as it boots up look to the bottom of the screen you will an option to restore by pressing something like F10 or F12 or something smiler this will give you the option to restore your computer to factory setting, what manufacturer do it to put the restore files on a little part of your hard drive which can be recovered by pressing F? at start up

Answer 5

To use the System Restore Wizard, make sure you're logged on as an administrator, and then follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore.

2. On the Welcome screen, click Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next.

3. On the Select a Restore Point page, select the date from the calendar that shows the point you'd like to restore to and then click Next.

4. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, verify that the correct restore point is chosen, and then close any open programs.

5. Click Next if you are ready to proceed or click Back to change the restore point.

6. The computer will shut down automatically and reboot. On reboot, you'll see the Restoration Complete page, and then click OK.
After reviewing the stability of your system, you can choose another restore point or undo this restoration. Just open System Restore and make the appropriate choice. After you use System Restore, you'll have an additional task, Undo my last restoration, on the System Restore Welcome page. Remember that you'll have to reinstall any programs that were installed after the restore point.

If System Restore doesn't work in Normal Mode, it might work in Safe Mode. To use System Restore in Safe Mode, press the F8 key during reboot and choose Safe Mode. When your computer starts in either Safe Mode or Normal Mode, System Restore can be used to capture a working previous state. System Restore can't be opened unless the system is bootable into one of these modes.

Answer 6

a lot of xp pc's donyt come with a restore cd instead the restoration data is on a secret hard drive partition. You usually press F10 or F12 when you first turn the pc on, and just follow the instructions. if it is on there it will say "F... recovery" at the bottom on the first screen you see

Answer 7

You really don't want to do that. Well you do, but you shouldn't. I fix computers professionally and I doubt if one in a hundred computers with problems need such radical surgery. It may not even be possible if you have lost your Windows installation disk. It will take you many hours to bring your computer back up to date, even if you have the drivers to hand. And if you don't know how to stop it going wrong then it will go wrong again.

Answer 8

Go start, programmes, accessories, system tools, and then click on System restore, choose a date you want to go back to and do it.

It's not quite the same as a complete reset as to the day you bought it, but if you havn't got a restore disc then it's as good as you'll get.

EDIT:- IGNORE THE GUY WHO SAID FORMAT, that will take everything off your disc including all the programmes such as windows that came with it.

Answer 9

Once your windows program boots up, go to search "files or folders" and type in "System Restore". Use this feature to restore your computer to its original settings. You will need to pick a date shortly after you first got it. You will however lose programs installed after that date.

Answer 10

Your computer (if you bought it brand new should have come with "system restore disks"
normally 2.
If you bought it second hand then i suggest you contact the seller to ask for these.
If you were sold it brand new and it didnt come with the disks then go to where you bought it from and ask for them.
Alternatively write down what system ,model,serial no you have and take it to somewhere like PC World they should be able to sell you some.
Baz