restore to beginning?

[stewart1957]

I have recently obtained a second hand laptop and want to restore it to
"factory settings".
How do I remove any old files etc from the machine and return it to
"virgin" condition?
There is a key on the base which I presume means I can re-load the OS
off the Microsoft website?

 

[Brian A.]

I have recently obtained a second hand laptop and want to restore it to
"factory settings".
How do I remove any old files etc from the machine and return it to
"virgin" condition?
There is a key on the base which I presume means I can re-load the OS
off the Microsoft website?

Check the manufacturers support site on the exact make/model laptop for
instructions on how to restore the laptop to factory default.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[peter]

No you cannot download XP off the MS website...
You can however look for the help files for your laptop on the laptop and
look up "recovery partition"
If you have a Recover Partition a sequence of F? +? at boot would begin the
Recovery process.
Some older laptops had Recovery Partitions others came with a set of CD's
that contained all the files/programs
to restore to "as purchased" state.We have no idea what yours originally
came with..you did not provide make and model
number.

If all else fails you can borrow an friends OEM version of XP and install
new formatting the HD in the process and using that
key to activate XP.You should also go to the manufacturer's website and try
to find the drivers for that particular model.

peter

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have recently obtained a second hand laptop and want to restore it to
"factory settings".
How do I remove any old files etc from the machine and return it to
"virgin" condition?

You do a clean reinstallation of Windows.

There is a key on the base which I presume means I can re-load the OS
off the Microsoft website?

No, it does not mean that at all. There is no legal way to download a
copy of Windows, either from Microsoft or anyplace else. Moreover,
with a laptop, you almost certainly need a copy of Windows customized
for your laptop, with the needed drivers, etc. for its components.

Did the computer come with either an installation CD or a restoration
CD? Failing that, you may have a restoration partition on the hard
drive; check the documentation or contact the vendor.

 

[jimbo571]

I have recently obtained a second hand laptop and want to restore it to
"factory settings".
How do I remove any old files etc from the machine and return it to
"virgin" condition?
There is a key on the base which I presume means I can re-load the OS
off the Microsoft website?

Look to see if there is a manual on the harddrive , if so , it will
tell you how to restore to factory specs .

 

[stewart1957]

-

I have recently obtained a second hand laptop and want to restore i
to
"factory settings".
How do I remove any old files etc from the machine and return it to
"virgin" condition?
There is a key on the base which I presume means I can re-load the OS
off the Microsoft website?-

Look to see if there is a manual on the harddrive , if so , it will
tell you how to restore to factory specs .

Thanks to all who replied.
I have obtained a copy of Vista and will reload.
I have also been on HP's website and can download the appropriat
drivers