Initial System Restore

[Guest]

Hi!
On my old computer, which had Windows 98 I could preform a System Restore,
which took the computer back to day one, even after 5 years of use. I am
hoping to do that with my newer computer-- I purchased it back in the spring
and since then it has become completely infected with SO SO much spyware,
files I don't want, and things of the like. I have two different spyware
blockers, etc. and they can't seem to get rid of everything. Anyway, what I'm
hoping to do is something similar with this computer, wiping out every
update/installation I've made and essentially return the computer to the
state in which it came initially. I have backed up all files, folders, etc
already but I can't seem to find how I do a complete initial system restore.
Any one know? THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Maggie

 

[Ken Blake]

In

On my old computer, which had Windows 98 I could preform a
System
Restore,

No, you have the terminology wrong. Windows 98 did *not* have a
System restore feature. iIndows XP does, but it doiesn't do what
you describe.

which took the computer back to day one, even after 5 years
of use.

What you undoubtedly did is use the manufacturer's Restore CD,
which reinstalled Windows to factory condition. Some vendors
provide these instead of a real Windows installation CD.

I am hoping to do that with my newer computer--

Whether that's available depends on who your vendor is, and what
he supplied. However a Restore CD is very much inferior to an
installation CD, since it severely limits your options in many
ways.

I purchased
it back in the spring and since then it has become completely
infected with SO SO much spyware, files I don't want, and
things of
the like. I have two different spyware blockers, etc. and they
can't
seem to get rid of everything. Anyway, what I'm hoping to do is
something similar with this computer, wiping out every
update/installation I've made and essentially return the
computer to
the state in which it came initially. I have backed up all
files,
folders, etc already but I can't seem to find how I do a
complete
initial system restore. Any one know? THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Assuming that you have an installation CD, just boot from it
(change the BIOS boot order if necessary to accomplish this) and
follow the prompts for a clean installation (delete the existing
partition by pressing "D" when prompted, then create a new one).
You can find detailed instructions here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

or here http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

or here http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

 

[Guest]

to bring your pc to the original state is to do a reformat which deletes
everything and installs fresh. If you have all your files backed up then this
is the best way. You wont do it from system restore. Restart your computer
with the original windows CD in the cd rom, make sure you have your ID number
for the cd..then do a fresh install. If the cd doesnt detect leave it in and
go to start/settings/control panel and to add/remove programs and click on
add program for cd or disk. Follow all directions carefully. Its easy to do
as long as you read all material in each category. When the cd starts you
want a fresh or new install. good luck.

 

[JAX]

Are we talking about an OEM installation or an installation from an original
Windows XP disk?

JAX

 

[Alex Nichol]

On my old computer, which had Windows 98 I could preform a System Restore,
which took the computer back to day one, even after 5 years of use. I am
hoping to do that with my newer computer-- I purchased it back in the spring
and since then it has become completely infected with SO SO much spyware,
files I don't want, and things of the like. I have two different spyware
blockers, etc. and they can't seem to get rid of everything. Anyway, what I'm
hoping to do is something similar with this computer, wiping out every
update/installation I've made and essentially return the computer to the
state in which it came initially. I have backed up all files, folders, etc
already but I can't seem to find how I do a complete initial system restore.

There isn't something comparable to the short term system restore that
restores files recently changed as well as the registry. The original
registry can be brought back - see
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;307545
but this will not be useful because it will have nothing related to any
legitimate software you installed since.

If this machine came with XP installed, which sounds likely, the makers
will have provided a means to restore it to ex-factory state - erasing
the hard disk completely and starting over. This may be a CD to boot;
or may be files in a hidden partition that you invoke by hitting a key
at power on. Check the manual on how it is done

If it is a retail CD of XP that you installed yourself; You do it as
part of a reinstall of the system after booting the XP CD direct. Enter
Setup, and after the license agreement take New Install. When it asks
you to confirm where, hit ESC; select and delete the current partition
and make a new RAW one to be formatted at the next stage

The important point is the delete. Without that it will just go ahead
and make a new install over the top of the old one