How do I reset my PC so that it goes back to exactly as it was when I opened the box?

Shane

How do I reset my PC so that it goes back to exactly as it was when I opened the box?

I don't mind losing files such as word documents or mp3s. To be honest, I want everything ever done on it to gone so it goes back to what it was like when I took it out of the box!

I have all the cds that came with it.

It's a Dell Dimension 8200 with Windows XP Home Edition, Version 5.1.2600.

I don't have a lot of technical expertise so please be straightforward!

maxheadroom

There should be a recovery CD in the mass of CDs that came with the computer. Put that Cd in the CD / DVD drive, and reboot. Follow the instructions on the screen.

And then it'll be factory fresh

Shane

Right, nothing called a 'recovery cd'.

Here are the cds that came with the computer;

- Drivers and Utilities, Resource CD for Reinstalling Device Drivers and Using Diagnostics, Utilities and System Documentation
- Applications, Eurotools CD for Reinstalling Dell-Installed Software
- Operating System, Windows XP Home Edition
- Drivers and Utilities, for Reinstalling V.92 (Capable)/56K Telephony Data/Fax/Voice Modem software
- Applications, for reinstalling Roxio Easy CD Creator

There are other cds for Microsoft Office, and the printer, scanner, webcam and monitor. Which do I use?

maxheadroom

I honestly don't know which one. Try them in this order:

Resource CD
Applications (for reinstalling Dell installed software) CD
Drivers and Utilities CD.

Or, call their tech support line and have someone talk you through it.

Champ

Right, nothing called a 'recovery cd'.

Okay; that probably means a manual wipe and re-install to me.

Boot up with your Windows XP cd; and follow the instructions.

Remember wipe it; not install over an existing installation.

- Drivers and Utilities, Resource CD for Reinstalling Device Drivers and Using Diagnostics, Utilities and System Documentation
- Applications, Eurotools CD for Reinstalling Dell-Installed Software

Hmmm, may have to install a thing or two manually after XP settles down.. :dunno:

maxheadroom

All dells come with a way to restore the factory configuration. There might be a floppy disc that accesses a hidden partition? Their support line will know the correct method for your model PC.

Shane

How do I do a 'manual wipe'. When I put the CD in it just says installation.

Tivoli

why do you want to blank it, are you selling it or having problems clearing your history

Shane

Just little problems here and there that have come with installing and uninstalling crap. I think if I had to call customer support it would take all day to fix.

Dempsey

My Dell Dimension 8200 has a hidden partition of about 30Mb, dunno how to access it as I havent bothered trying....:dunno:

Tivoli

did you try ....
running a windows update
installing and updating an antivirus like AVG
installing a firewall like zonelabs
installing adaware, updating and running a manual scan

pc will be like new

also do a search for temp folders and empty then

and lastly open my computer right click on the c drive goto properties and running defrad and scandisk

you can't just format and re-install every time it goes tits up althought i suppose once ever 2 years is okay

Shane

Yes and still to no avail! And coincidentally, it is about 2 years old now!

Tivoli

okay right click on mycomputer

goto manage

goto disk management

check out your disk 0 is there a partition called C and a smaller one at the end with no name on it

MarkR

Put in the xp cd and turn off the computer. When you restart you'll see a message to press any key to boot from cd. Do this. it will load into a blue screen where you will see loads of file names running along at the bottom of the screen. This will take several minutes, you don't need to press anything for several minutes. You'll be asked to accept the licence agreement etc, and eventually come to the partition information screen. You'll have one or more partitions listed here. You'll have one main one, maybe one with system files, all depends. Easiest to delete any existing partitions by highlighting each one and pressing d, then l. You'll have one mass of unpartitioned space. Press enter to install here. You'll be asked about the file system next, choose either NTFS or FAT, but don't choose any of the quick versions. (Note: You can go from FAT to NTFS, but not back the other way without repeating this process.) It will format the drive, then start installing windows. Just follow the instructions on screen. It's nearly idiot proof. Towards the end the computer will restart. Because the cd is in the drive you will be asked again do you want to boot from cd (ignore it this time - let it carry on). More very basic questions, eventually back to a low resolution desktop. Take out xp cd and put in driver / utility cd to install drivers, and especially some antivirus software....

Shane

mukki - yes

MarkR - will this delete EVERYTHING I've ever installed on it?

Champ

My Dell Dimension 8200 has a hidden partition of about 30Mb, dunno how to access it as I havent bothered trying....

Hmmm; one of my friends has a laptop with a hidden partition. Not sure if he was able to access what was on it directly; but it shows up on partition magic; not that i would consider wiping it directly without first being absolutely sure what its there for.

All dells come with a way to restore the factory configuration. There might be a floppy disc that accesses a hidden partition? Their support line will know the correct method for your model PC.

Yes this tends to be true.
I know someone who has a laptop.. we were trying to figure out for ages how to do a clean install; in the end we found out that you had to hold down a button in combination of booting up with the cd...

How do I do a 'manual wipe'. When I put the CD in it just says installation.

I never had to reinstall XP yet; though i think you should be able to format the target partition before installation; i recall that with a W2K installation this was possible; i think MS would do the same for XP given it's a useful installation option.

Capt'n Midnight

Here's a long shot - you could email Dell tech support !

with a bit of luck you'll get a cheat sheet back telling you how to.

You can use qtparted on the knoppix CD to un hide the partition (other partition editors can do this too) if it exists.,

using a win98 boot disk you can type FDISK /STATUS to list the partitions - if the main partition is less that 99% there might be some space used by something else. -note older notebooks used a susped to disk partiition

you could also nuke the "non-dos" partitions as a way to completely remove everything before reinstall using FDISK - but make sure there is no hidden restore partition first

maxheadroom

instructions are here for your system:
http://support.euro.dell.com/ie/en/kb/document.asp?DN=TT1068959&tag=DIM_PNT_P4_8200

MarkR

Deleting the partition deletes EVERYTHING. Here is a step by step guide with pictures that traces through it. It will delete everything, including dial up settings to the internet, all your email and settings etc...

Mark