Hi, I need a bit of your help on the following point, Re- full system restore to factory defaults also i need to keep the music on the PC after full restore. Running Windows XP Home Edition, have all CDs to carry out this operation.
Thanks for you help
Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing, can you confirm please that you want to use your manufacturer's Restore Disc (not the Microsoft windows installation disc ) to put your machine back to the "factory state"
The above is sometimes called a "destructive Restore" in that it has the effect of wiping out everything on your hard drive, all your photos, music, letters, documents, emails, (including all your email settings, passwords and the like, Internet Explorer favourites, Internet Access passwords and settings, Address book and everything else that you can think of.
I am sorry to labour the point but I don't want you to wipe out, say for example, the 400 page book that you may have just finished writing or any other important stuff unless you have a complete backup/archive of your files that you know are intact and reproducable.!
If you really want to do this, make sure your files are all backed up, you have a working copy of the manufacturers Restore Disc, a note of the Windows Product Key, all your application cd's with product key numbers and any drivers that you need for your machine and all its bits and pieces.
The process is not to be undertaken lightly, but once your machine is up and running again (fingers crossed) all the items of junk that we all accumulate will be gone so your machine should work more effectively and quicker.
if your Restore Disc is getting a bit old then you will be able to spend some happy time installing all your Windows Updates and service packs, but before you do this make sure your anti virus is installed together with your 2 way software firewall.
There is another function on some manufacturers Restore discs that perform a non destructive Restore that is supposed to leave most of your files intact but which just overwrites your existing system , however not all discs have this facility and in any event they do not clear out all the junk that usually causes slowdown and system instability.
Once you are happy insert your disc and press the button on the facility you want and follow on screen instructions.
Regards
and good luck
paws
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