factory settings

[mysticspirit]

i have backed up all the files and programmes i wish to save before wanting to set my laptop back to factory settings. the reason i am doing this is because a) instead of pictures on a web page, im getting a small box in the top left corner with 3 little shapes in and then have to right click and select show picture to view it B) im constantly getting all these windows antivirus programmes installing themselves and generally being a f**king nuisance. C) i get radio/tv/music clips blaying in the background (even tho im not viewing any web pages!) and finally D) the pages keep freezing, then get a single note sound and then cant do anything at all (not even shutdown)

my question is does anyone know how to reset the fujitsu seimens laptop back to factory settings? im using windows xp pro which was built in when i purchased it.

PLEASE HELP, ITS DRIVING ME NUTS

[Blackthorn]

On a PC you can format the hard drive leaving your files intact but its better to clear it completely if you can. I assume laptops are the same. my HP one is.
You will need the Windows XP disc, just run it and follow the instructions for 'new installation.'
if you haven't got an XP disc you'll have to 'obtain' one.

[ChuckFickens]

Firstly.... check at least twice more that you have backed up everything you need (oh and you generally can't back up programs... you need to reinstall them from original CD or download again when it's restored)

Did you get any recovery/system CD's with it when you bought it? if so use those to restore back to factory... if not I think fujitsu put something on the laptop that enables you to create the CD's needed (i'm pretty sure they don't use recovery partitions! somebody may know better though) so have a look through everything on the laptop and see if you can find anything to create recovery disks.

Normally I would say repair/clean/fix the install you have... but to be honest by the sound of all the problems your having a full restore probably is the easiest way..


OH and now go and check once again you've really backed everything up you need...

[ChuckFickens]

Blackthorn yours is confusing and slightly incorrect advice I'm afraid.

If you format a hard drive it destroys everything on it...

if your hard drive is split into two partitions (or you have two seperate hard drives.... both amount to the same thing in this instance) then you can format one of them (either partition or drive) and leave the other ones content intact.

but to say you can format a hard drive and "leave the files intact" is misleading.

[Blackthorn]

Yes, should have said 'leave your data files intact', of course all your programme files are lost.
In the past my PC guru has tried a number of times to 'rescue' my computers but in the end we always found it was best to just 'bite the bullet' and re-format.

[mysticspirit]

hiya people, thanks for your help!

im sure i have saved everything i need. the things i have left on the system are re downloadable ie. messenger and windows media player.

im quite sure that it didnt come with a windows xp reload cd but i will have another look.

i cant even do a system restore back to an earlier date! thats how mesed up this thing is lol. anyway, thanks again and hopefully i can get this sorted before throwing it in the bin :)

[rojash]

Sorry Blackthorn, but you're still wrong: unless your data files are stored on a different drive then they will be lost as well. Formatting wipes ALL files from the drive.

[ChuckFickens]

if you really can't find a CD to restore it then have a look on the bottom of the laptop and see if there is a microsoft sticker on it with the windows license key. if there is then see if you can borrow a XP cd from somebody, it will need to be a XP pro, not home, CD though

If you can you can use that CD to install and type in your license key from the sticker and your still being legal.

However it would be a good idea to goto the fujitsu website and download all the drivers that you need beforehand and put them on a CD or usb stick.

get them here

http://www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/support/downl oads.html

[Ethel]

May I suggest you print off your list of installed programs under the Add/Remove Program facility and more importantly print off your stored passwords BEFORE you do it.

I find it a useful reference whenever I reformat.