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Restoring PC to Factory Condition

  • 07-11-2005 1:52pm
    #1
    coghlac3
    Closed Accounts Posts: 161 ✭✭


    Hey, got a new desktop at home and want to give the old one to a relative. But the PC is full of loads of useless files, programs etc. What is the easiest way to restore this PC to factory condition, as remove all those files and programs without damaging it's OS? Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Stephen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,484 ✭✭✭✭Stephen


    Most brand-name PC's (i.e. the likes of Dell and anything you buy in PC world/compustore) come with a restore disc that you can use to return it to the state it was bought in.
    For other types of machine you may as well just format the disk and install a fresh copy of windows. Make sure you acquire all the drivers you'll need beforehand, and put them somewhere convenient such as on a CD or usb drive.


  • #3
    timeout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 919 ✭✭✭timeout


    If you post the make and model we can better guide you as to wether it has cds or not, and how to perform the actuall recovery.


  • #4
    coghlac3
    Closed Accounts Posts: 161 ✭✭coghlac3


    Thanks for the replys, It's a dell dimension 4100, gonna look for all the disks now. Will the system restore remove everything that was added to the machine since purchase? Is so i'll obviously have to download all updates and patches, antivirus definitions etc.... Would be happpy to do that though if I knew that the PC would be back to factory condition! Thanks


  • #5
    Stephen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,484 ✭✭✭✭Stephen


    Yeah the restore discs generally just wipe the hard drive and return it to the way it was the day it was bought, so if there's anything on it that you want to keep, copy it someplace else.


  • #6
    timeout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 919 ✭✭✭timeout


    Dell come with a windows cd and then several cds for drivers and applications. It has a little paper slip inside the cd case that describes the steps to install windows. Its actually a proper windows cd and install rather then the hander press F10 and click ok to restore the pc or insert cd 1 click ok to restore the pc.

    If you can get hold of a Service Pack 2 cd it will save alot of downloading as it contains alot of the updates. If you got broadband at college or a mates house you can download it from microsoft.Its like 300mb and also get the program from www.autopatcher.com as it contains the updates since SP2.

    Timeout


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  • #7
    coghlac3
    Closed Accounts Posts: 161 ✭✭coghlac3


    Yeah I still have my SP2 disc somewhere. And have broadband at home so all that shouldn't be a problem. All I have to do know is find the original discs that came with the PC and have a go. Thanks for all the help.


    Cian
    :)


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