Computer Question (about OS)

[Bloodshot Scott]

I want to restore my comp. to the original state it was in when I first took it out of the box. However, the discs have disapeared, and I need to know exactly what I need to not only clear my hard drive space, but also that I get all the original programs/software that I got with it new. What exactly do I need?

Been on another forum and it was suggested this site is good:

http://digitalmedia-labs.com/CompaqDesktopsRecovery.htm

Also, eBay has discs but the last thing I want to do is install a "recovery" disc and have a computer that has no software.

 

[24788]

Model of Compaq?

You may not need any of this. You may be able to just ghost screen it to restore your computer.

 

[YMIHERE]

Look for a setup or restore disk. This will install the OS and programs that came with the computer. After installation your computer should be the same as when you took it out of the box.

 

[24788]

Look for a setup or restore disk. This will install the OS and programs that came with the computer. After installation your computer should be the same as when you took it out of the box.

He doesn't have the disks, but you don't always need them. I clean my computer every three months since most spyware and viruses can get past a firewall or anti-virus wall if they are newer and well designed.

I don't use my disks at all to do this.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

n:

He doesn't have the disks, but you don't always need them. I clean my computer every three months since most spyware and viruses can get past a firewall or anti-virus wall if they are newer and well designed.

I don't use my disks at all to do this.

Do you have a Compaq?

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

My bad about the first link. It's actually a desktop, not a laptop. The model is a Compaq S5100NX.

 

[JayJohn85]

I want to restore my comp. to the original state it was in when I first took it out of the box. However, the discs have disapeared, and I need to know exactly what I need to not only clear my hard drive space, but also that I get all the original programs/software that I got with it new. What exactly do I need?

Been on another forum and it was suggested this site is good:

http://digitalmedia-labs.com/CompaqDesktopsRecovery.htm

Also, eBay has discs but the last thing I want to do is install a "recovery" disc and have a computer that has no software.

He doesn't have the disks, but you don't always need them. I clean my computer every three months since most spyware and viruses can get past a firewall or anti-virus wall if they are newer and well designed.

I don't use my disks at all to do this.

HP/Compaq thats because most of them come with restore partitions....Bloodshot check to see if you got a extra hard drive in the my computer screen....This wont actually be physically another hard drive but rather a partition of your hard drive which should say something like recovery.

Once you have confirmed that if you got one you can restore your computer to factory settings. This can either be done at start up....Usually at the screen that tells you the F keys for bios etc should be another option like set up...In there should be able to "restore" to factory settings. If not you can do it through the system recovery options located somewhere in the control panel....I could write a step by step but I cant be arsed browsing through my own computer lulz.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

HP/Compaq thats because most of them come with restore partitions....Bloodshot check to see if you got a extra hard drive in the my computer screen....This wont actually be physically another hard drive but rather a partition of your hard drive which should say something like recovery.

Once you have confirmed that if you got one you can restore your computer to factory settings. This can either be done at start up....Usually at the screen that tells you the F keys for bios etc should be another option like set up...In there should be able to "restore" to factory settings. If not you can do it through the system recovery options located somewhere in the control panel....I could write a step by step but I cant be arsed browsing through my own computer lulz.

It looks like I do have another hard drive. Question: should i set a system restore point just in case i mess this up?

Damn computer has never been the same since my sister downloaded Kazaa to get an album. :crash:

 

[JayJohn85]

Yes set resore point.....But the options you are looking at right now from what you have said is the system recovery its different from a full on factory settings recovery.....By this I mean you can set the computer back to like your last system restore point so it will only remove stuff after that date......Factory settings boyo will wipe the computer clean and just leave you with the OS and whatever software/drivers it came with. If your restore point is too recent I suspect if its a viral problem you got you will need to make sure the problems didnt occur before the date given in the system recovery.

My computer has shit on it right now too I just cant be arsed fixing it yet lulz.....Just kill any suspicious processes in the task manager but yep consequences of looking at free pictures lad....Not here but on other sites.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Yes set resore point.....But the options you are looking at right now from what you have said is the system recovery its different from a full on factory settings recovery.....By this I mean you can set the computer back to like your last system restore point so it will only remove stuff after that date......Factory settings boyo will wipe the computer clean and just leave you with the OS and whatever software/drivers it came with. If your restore point is too recent I suspect if its a viral problem you got you will need to make sure the problems didnt occur before the date given in the system recovery.

My computer has shit on it right now too I just cant be arsed fixing it yet lulz.....Just kill any suspicious processes in the task manager but yep consequences of looking at free pictures lad....Not here but on other sites.

Oh, I know how to do that BS restore point. That means I have no recourse at this point then. Punk ass local computer shop wants like $150.00 to restore, and I don't even know if that comes with the original factory software.

Did you check my orignal link? What do those discs do? It seems that's what I need but I am not sure.

 

[JayJohn85]

Oh, I know how to do that BS restore point. That means I have no recourse at this point then. Punk ass local computer shop wants like $150.00 to restore, and I don't even know if that comes with the original factory software.

Did you check my orignal link? What do those discs do? It seems that's what I need but I am not sure.

Fortunate I am still lurking....150 dollars, Naw man fuck that recovery disc are shit and for that kind of money well I aint sure but 100 bucks or a little more would get you a full on windows disc.

Anyway step by step guide because you said you have a recovery partition:

1. Go into My Computer: Check again you have a recovery partition it should be a extra drive saying something like - Well on my computer its HP_Recovery(D)

2. Once you have confirmed this. Restart your computer once it has shut down and rebooted keep pressing F12....Hopefully for you this is the same button. If not you will have to restart again but try different F keys and get it with trial and error or really pay attention to your start up sequence and read the bottom of the screen where it tells the F key.

3.F12 will bring up the recovery console....Following all the on screen prompts carefully examine the options I believe you will be able to chose crappy recovery like stated above and which everyone has....But you should also have another option...This other option will say something along the lines of factory settings. This is the one you want.

Warning This will delete all data on your computer and return it to the state it was in when purchased so before you do that its a good idea to back shit up. Also before you even start any of these steps make sure you have your ISP software or whatever you need to get your internet back up and running

4. After the restore is complete it will be like you installed a fresh copy of windows. But all drivers will be just the bog standard ones that came with your computer some might not actually be working correctly.....Just plug and play....Usually you would have a CD with drivers on it. If you dont then you have to search manually for the drivers often its a good idea to know what you motherboard is....But you are fortunate if your PC is HP/Compaq as you should be able to write down the model number etc and get a drivers package.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Fortunate I am still lurking....150 dollars, Naw man fuck that recovery disc are shit and for that kind of money well I aint sure but 100 bucks or a little more would get you a full on windows disc.

Anyway step by step guide because you said you have a recovery partition:

1. Go into My Computer: Check again you have a recovery partition it should be a extra drive saying something like - Well on my computer its HP_Recovery(D)

2. Once you have confirmed this. Restart your computer once it has shut down and rebooted keep pressing F12....Hopefully for you this is the same button. If not you will have to restart again but try different F keys and get it with trial and error or really pay attention to your start up sequence and read the bottom of the screen where it tells the F key.

3.F12 will bring up the recovery console....Following all the on screen prompts carefully examine the options I believe you will be able to chose crappy recovery like stated above and which everyone has....But you should also have another option...This other option will say something along the lines of factory settings. This is the one you want.

Warning This will delete all data on your computer and return it to the state it was in when purchased so before you do that its a good idea to back shit up. Also before you even start any of these steps make sure you have your ISP software or whatever you need to get your internet back up and running

4. After the restore is complete it will be like you installed a fresh copy of windows. But all drivers will be just the bog standard ones that came with your computer some might not actually be working correctly.....Just plug and play....Usually you would have a CD with drivers on it. If you dont then you have to search manually for the drivers often its a good idea to know what you motherboard is....But you are fortunate if your PC is HP/Compaq as you should be able to write down the model number etc and get a drivers package.

Hmmm, sounds like it might be over my head. I need to find a good Compaq/HP forum or something, because this really isn't my computer I'm trying to restore anymore, it's a family member's; I actually just got a laptop and this person has their own laptop that I took all apart for the motherboard, as the DC was loose from the board. The same a-hole place that wants $150 to restore the desktop wants $200-300 to re-solder the damn DC jack to the motherboard. I found a Dell forum and dude helped me figure out how to get the motherboard out. Only problem is now the damn thing is in pieces on my carpet right now as I've called a dozen soldering places in this area and not one damn one of them deals with soldering parts that small.

Long story short, I might have to get their laptop re-running before I really go at this desktop Compaq. I should have got a damn software engineering degree when I had the chance.

 

[marquis2]

He doesn't have the disks, but you don't always need them. I clean my computer every three months since most spyware and viruses can get past a firewall or anti-virus wall if they are newer and well designed.

I don't use my disks at all to do this.

This is taking things to ridiculous lengths.My previous computer was a really cut price piece of gear running ME.But it ran faultlessly for 5 years without a reinstall and still works now if I start it up.Unless you are either very unlucky or very foolish it should never be necessary to reinstall during the life of the computer.

 

[JayJohn85]

Dude pretty simple shit dont know why the hell you would want to remove the motherboard lol........I forgot to add drivers package from their actual website. As in HP/compaq go to drivers section and type in your pc model after you have done the restore. But hell if you wanna pay some guy to do something really simple thats your perogative.

 

[Member2019]

Most vendors don't include a restore disc ...

Some have you create them after booting the first time. Some also offer to include a set for a small fee when you purchase on-line. Others actually use a hidden partition with a recovery solution.

Microsoft forbid PC OEMs from shipping a Windows CD over a decade ago to cut down on alleged piracy. Long story on that.

When I purchase a new system, the disk is typically smaller than I desire anyway, so I image the included disk to a larger disk (typically two disks in RAID-1). I never use the disk again unless I need to recover.