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How do i restore laptop settings back to earlier state?

  • 14-08-2012 09:40PM
    #1
    caesura
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 183 ✭✭


    Hi folks,

    I've been having a problem with my laptop which I've been unable to resolve (some kind of driver prob i think - just keeps saying 'not responding'...had a few responses on here to try and fix it but nothing has worked) so I've decided to see if it's possible to wipe whatever is on there and bring it back to as near to it's factory settings as i can.

    I can't use half the software and programs I've installed over the years anymore as laptop is so slow so i don't mind wiping and reinstalling the essentials.

    Saying that I'd like to keep Microsoft Word on there if possible so i'm wondering if it's possible to just wipe everything from the last 18months (when the problem started) or so?

    For whatever reason when i go into system restore on the laptop it just allows me to go as far as last restore (usually last time i fired it up) but it won't let me select an earlier date?

    Could someone tell me how to do this as i just want to get it over and done with and hopefully get back to using laptop.

    Thanks for whatever help or pointers you can give!



    LAPTOP INFO
    Acer Travelmate 5520
    Windows Vista


Comments

  • #2
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    caesura wrote: »
    so i'm wondering if it's possible to just wipe everything from the last 18months (when the problem started) or so?

    That depends on how far back your system restore snapshots go.


  • #3
    caesura
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 183 ✭✭caesura


    Torqay wrote: »
    That depends on how far back your system restore snapshots go.

    But how would i check that?

    And is there no way to just wipe it clean to a certain date that i pick myself?


  • #4
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    caesura wrote: »
    But how would i check that?

    It's all explained in this tutorial

    Using System Restore to Recover your Windows 7 Computer
    caesura wrote: »
    And is there no way to just wipe it clean to a certain date that i pick myself?

    If you "wipe it clean" you will have to install the OS and software from scratch. There is no partial wiping, Windows System Restore can only do so much.


  • #5
    caesura
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 183 ✭✭caesura


    Torqay wrote: »
    It's all explained in this tutorial

    Using System Restore to Recover your Windows 7 Computer

    Unfortunately the laptop with the problem is Vista not 7 and system restore on vista is terrible...I'll check it again when i'm back at the other laptop but last time i tried i remember it being much more constrained than say windows xp so i can only imagine it'll be even worse compared to windows 7.
    Torqay wrote: »
    If you "wipe it clean" you will have to install the OS and software from scratch. There is no partial wiping, Windows System Restore can only do so much.

    So factory settings wouldn't even have the software it was bought with in the shop then?

    Yikes!

    When i look online it says back up everything...but how is that done? Is there a tutorial online...I mean can i 'save' an OS and MS Word somehow onto my ex harddrive or is there some way of retrieving codes etc necc to reinstall?


  • #6
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    No, you can't "save" the OS or MS Word but there are various programs that will retrieve product codes and license keys for installed programs. You will still need the disks or installers though.

    There are programs that allow you to "migrate" entire programs and settings to another/new installation, how well they work may vary though, better to reinstall a clean version to be safe side.

    The easiest way to backup your files in Windows Vista/7: copy your entire user folder onto an external hard drive, everything is stored in there by default.


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