please help with system restore in XP pro

[smokingweed3000]

Hey
Im currently working on my dad's computer and I have been downloading a lot of programs and codecs and all that other stuff and I wanted to delete all those files the I downloaded and to restore the computer to the state that it was bought at (no programs installed except those that came with the computer). My question is if system restore will do what I want to do or do I have to get some other program to do that?
Thanks a lot

[NeWcS]

Ive never bought a computer(Build my own) but I know years ago when my parents bought there first computer(Packard Bell) it had a restore disk which did as you described,, brought your computer back to the day it was bought.

As far as XP goes, As long as there was a restore point at the begining you should be able to restore your 'settings'. I may be wrong but doing a restore in XP will NOT remove the stuff you put on there it will just restore your system settings.

[ChrisX]

I have a WinXP and have Multiple CD-ROM named, "Quick Restore".

This task will delete all data in the hard drive and restore the computer back to the factory. All data means all personal files, software and any new system files installed after purchase will be deleted. There is a warning to back up personal files before the "Quick Restore", If so, you must copy or transfer them to another computer or make a CD copy of these files.

This is what you do, insert the restore disc in the CD-ROM drive then reboot the computer. A Welcome "Quick Restore" displays with intructions and warnings. When satisfied as OK to go ahead, then enter. The computer goes back to the original factory files. Then start over again from there. Good luck.

[smokingweed3000]

i got an emergency recovery cd or something like that, is that what i need to restore the computer to factory condition or is system restore in win xp gonna do it?
thanks again

[ChrisX]

The "recovery" is not the right disk to use. This one is for emergency when the computer crashes or fails to start up. A virus attack or the important system files were deleted and perhaps corrupted system in the computer.

I have to use an emergency disk once last year when my computer failed to start up overnight. I was very tired that night and learnt not to panic in a emergency. Don't touch the system files at all. A lesson for me then.

On the "recovery disk", this really depends what make your computer is. You might get the factory restore with the recovery disk. My WinXP is Compaq; the "Quick restore" is separate to the recovery disk. My recovery disk instruction says factory restore might work; however no guarantee. If it says like this, "No factory Image found", this means you have to use the restore disk.

I hope you will work out to the factory setting. Good Luck.

[jtor]

The problem is, 'bought' PCs come with restoration CDs labeled differently; but serves the same purpose. You might want to check the documentation (users manual) that came with your PC.

So, smokingweed3K, what brand/make is this PC that you're referring to?

For VAIOs, they come with CDs labeled as 'SYSTEM RECOVERY CD', APPLICATION RECOVERY CD, and DRIVER RECOVERY CD (at least on my VAIO). For Compaqs, they come with Recovery CD. But special note for Compaqs, this recovery Cd will restore 'image' files already existing in a partition in your HD. There should be a drive D, containing CPQ-something folders. If you delete these folders/files, you won't be able to use the standard compaq recovery cd anymore. Instead, you'll have to get the Quick Restore CD (3 Cds in the pack) from Compaq, which contains all the image files that you've deleted in the D partition.

hope this helps.

[axxident2k2]

if u use a restore drive :o it will bring your system back to way was bought deleting all the files you have on your c drive

[smokingweed3000]

so basically I should use the factory restore CD. My computer is a Toshiba Laptop Satellite

[jtor]

so basically I should use the factory restore CD. My computer is a Toshiba Laptop Satellite

That's probably the safest (and cleanest) way to do it.