Restore Windows XP to original state

[×ליר×]

Hi,

I'd like to restore my computer to the basic state. I want to remove
everything - documents, softwares, office, settings, etc - and remain only my
basic Windows. I would be happy to start from scratch (basic settings, basic
registry).

BTW, I don't want to format everything (including the operating sysetm) and
reinstall Windows.

Thanks!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'd like to restore my computer to the basic state. I want to remove
everything - documents, softwares, office, settings, etc - and
remain only my basic Windows. I would be happy to start from
scratch (basic settings, basic registry).

BTW, I don't want to format everything (including the operating
sysetm) and reinstall Windows.

In reference to your "BTW", Yes, yes you do. Given what you asked for - the
only *certain* way to do this for *everyone* would be to format and install
Windows from scratch.

If you have a system backup you made the day you got your computer - you
could use that (restor a disk/partition image.)

Otherwise - chances are that even if you went through Control Panel --> Add
or Remove Programs and removed everything; if you deleted all user and all
user files after creating a new user; if you painstakenly erased everything
else you may have stored in various places - you might miss something and
there would almost definitely be leftover crud from previous
installations/etc. The uninstall features of most applications are
*greatly* lacking in thoroughness.

 

[Tim Meddick]

What "Shenan Stanley" is saying (aside form his suggestion that you
reinstall Windows) is that on some [modern] computers, there is an inbuilt
function to restore a 'factory state' copy of the operating system from a
'backup partition' (a hidden partition or 'drive' on your PC) back to your
'system partition' (your 'C:' drive).

This restore operation (if your computer has it) is usually instigated by
pressing a function key before XP starts to load. Which F key will be
displayed on (usually at the bottom of) a screen displaying the
manufacturer's logo, just before XP loads.

The makes of machines that do have this option include HP, Acer and some
Dell, but there are many more. The key you usually have to press is 'F10',
but it does vary.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi,

I'd like to restore my computer to the basic state. I want to remove
everything - documents, softwares, office, settings, etc - and remain only my
basic Windows. I would be happy to start from scratch (basic settings, basic
registry).

BTW, I don't want to format everything (including the operating sysetm) and
reinstall Windows.

You do realize, don't you, that your two statements above contradict
one another?

Which is it that you want?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Tim Meddick]

Using a 'Recovery Partition' to restore the system partition to the state it
left the factory, is, strictly speaking, not reinstalling Windows, is it?

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Using a 'Recovery Partition' to restore the system partition to the state it
left the factory, is, strictly speaking, not reinstalling Windows, is it?

Considering that the implementation of the Recovery image entails
completely wiping out the target partition and replacing it's contents
with the machine's original, ex-factory state, I'd certainly call it a
re-installation. It's merely a different mechanism than using the more
"traditional" Setup.exe.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Tim Meddick]

But the whole idea of "installing XP" IS the winnt.exe (setup.exe) process.

All the potential compatibility issues with installing XP on a given
hardware in this way are avoided because the installation of XP has been
performed (and confirmed to work) by the PC manufacturer. It is also
guaranteed to have been in a working state.

All the user does, by initializing the 'Recovery' procedure, is to 'clone'
the recovery partition back onto the system partition.

I really do not think (it is merely in my own opinion, of course) that you
can call that "Installing XP" onto a machine. It is just a cloning /
restore operation.


==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[×ליר×]

Thank you guys for your assistance, but I should provide you more details:

I have an old laptop – Toshiba Satellite A75. For some reasons, it can't
read from my CD-Rom, even though I have an original Win XP.

In terms of Tim Meddick suggestion: my computer is too old, and there is no
any function such as "Factory State". The only thing which I found is simple
Bios screen. Sorry.

I tried to copy the files from the CD to my memory stick, but this computer
couldn't boot from a flash disk.

So now is my question: How do I delete my entire files except the Windows?

Thanks a lot!

 

[David B.]

You'll have to manually uninstall all non original applications and manually
delete all your data, keeping in mind that it's extremely easy to recover
said data. You'd need to use a 3rd party "secure erase" tool to reduce this
likelihood.

 

[Tim Meddick]

You could just use the Windows' 'Add / Remove Programs' facility in
'Control Panel'.

You will see a lot of installed programs within the dialogue that opens when
you start the 'Add / Remove Programs' 'Control panel'. Just remove all the
programs and installations that you don't want on your machine anymore by
clicking on an entry then by pressing the 'Remove' button.

You should not remove any of the Window's Updates - so uncheck the box
marked 'Show Updates', at the top, to hide them.

If you then create a new user account (either an Admin or Limited) it will
be created with all the original default settings, 'as was' when Windows
started up for the first time.

You can then remove (delete) any old user accounts, choosing *not to keep
the files / folders associated with the profile.

*That is, making sure you have copied all files, that you want to keep, to
another location (i.e. a new folder off "c:\" but not within any of the old
profiles).

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[mmm]

I have an old laptop – Toshiba Satellite A75. For some reasons, it can't
read from my CD-Rom, even though I have an original Win XP.

Best thing to do here is to carefully clean the laser on the CD-ROM
player/reader.
You can take apart the reader, remember which screws go where,
let someone with a little tech knowledge do it for you while you watch
if needed, clean it up as much as you can, screw all screws tightly,
make sure you don't forget one, and clean the laser with some
pure alcohol and a cotton-stick.
In 75% of the cases that I encountered such problems, this was the
solution!

J

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

Thank you guys for your assistance, but I should provide you more details:

I have an old laptop – Toshiba Satellite A75. For some reasons, it can't
read from my CD-Rom, even though I have an original Win XP.

Can it read other CDs, or is the drive faulty?
[]

So now is my question: How do I delete my entire files except the Windows?

Why do you actually want to do this? (Though the inability to read the
XP CD is I guess part of the reason!)
[]
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

Could you please continue the petty bickering? I find it most intriguing. - Data
in Star Trek: the Next Generation, seies one, 5/26