duncan said:
is there any way to restore windows xp to factory settings my kids have
mucked up computer and ive lost some files i cant put any thing on comotter i
keep getting error codes missing files
There is no real "easy" way to restore Windows XP to "factory default
settings", rather there a few methods you could use to try to recover
your "lost/missing/corrupted files:
One method is to use the built in system restore feature, though it
must have been enabled before launching the program. To access it first
click on START>ALL PROGRAMS>ACCSESSORIES>SYSTEM TOOLS>SYSTEM RESTORE.
You will then be presented with an option to restore your computer to
an earlier time (via clicking on the desired BOLD date on the calendar)
and allowing Windows to complete the operation. Note that you should
ALWAYS backup whatever really important files before going ahead with
the operation, though it does save your recent files and documents.
How this works is Windows after installing some programs (ie. Windows
Media Player 10) the system will create a "Restore Point" (It is a
snapshot of your files and settings on your hard drisk drive stored in
PREFETCH FILES) that you can choose to bring your computer back to it's
previous state if you say after installing a program, some form of
corruption etc. has occured.
Method number two would be to try reinstalling Windows XP via the
RECOVERY CONSOLE, though this is more advanced, it can also assist you
to recover lost/corrupted or missing files. It is similar to
reinstalling Windows 9x on top to automatically rewrite over and or
create any missing or damaged files. Again, this is more an advanced
method used by network administrators, IT professionals etc. If you do
attempt to do this, as I said before it is IMPORTANT TO BACK UP YOUR
MOST IMPORTANT FILES before attempting ANY recovery features.
Method number three, as a last resort option, you could boot from your
Windows XP CD and choose to format your Hard Disk Drive and proceed
with installing Windows from scratch. Note that you WILL lose all of
your saved files and settings (including web address books etc.) but if
you follow the directions provided by the installation wizard you
should be able to install Windows yourself. NOTE THAT BACKING UP YOUR
FILES TO A BLANK CD OR DVD SHOULD BE PERFORMED BEFORE TRYING ANY OF
THESE METHODS.
Personally, I would try the system restore method first as it is
usually the safest way to go about it. If there is an error that
Windows cannot resotre your system to an earlier time, it will not
modify anything in your system.
However, I am assuming though that you are using an OEM or retail box
version of Windows XP, but if you are not (say if you have a HP/Compaq,
IBM, Sony, etc. computer that was purchased from a store that came
pre-installed with Windows XP and other utilities, that you call your
customer support number or search online for the method for your system
to use it's built in recovery method. Usually HP/Compaq's come with as
well as IBM PC's a built in Hard Disk Drive partition and utility that
will allow you to recreate automatically the default factory settings
that came with your PC.
Note that this is the last choice (formtting and re-installing) your OS
as it will erase your files and settings etc. so please try to use
system resotre to bring your PC back to a state before your kid's
"Mucked" up your computer.
Some more general advice though, that I pass along to my clients that
have undergone a similar circumstance as you, Windows XP comes with the
ability to create seperate accounts that you can set access to the
computer such as "Guest Account", "Administrator Account (Normal
default accounts are created with this level of UNRESTRICTED ACCESS)"
and "Limited Accounts (You can choose wehter certain features. programs
etc. are enabled or not same as the right to install or erase/view or
edit system files.)".
When you have the kids or guests using your PC it is reccomended not
allowing them to have full access to the PC as they can then
view/edit/erase almost all the files (except for password protected
accounts) so do try and let them use a restricted account as it will
help prevent them from doing this to your computer again.
Hope this is of some help,
Adam_JBOD
