How to restore to factory settings without disk?

As part of my job I restore laptops to their factory settings every once in a while, and since manufacturers all have a different ways of restoring to factory settings (mostly), every laptop/desktop is different. Most manufacturers include paper instructions or a disk to do this when you first buy your computer, however, most people throw these instructions away or lose the disk over time.

So here's what we can do.

Firstly, do you have the recovery or Operation System disk that came with your computer? If you weren't given a recovery disk or Operation System disk you'll have to make you're own recovery disk. If you do plan on using an Operation System disk make sure you save your drivers.

As mentioned below, search your menu for something that says recovery center, etc. This should provide the proper instructions and data on how to restore to factory settings. If found, this recovery data will usually be converted to ISO form. If you know how to burn an ISO proceed to burn it and then restart your computer with the CD in the CD/DVD drive. If you don't know how to burn an ISO use this burning software http://infrarecorder.org/

(You should be able to do this if you have a recovery partition - that is, two separate drives, your primary drive, which is C:, and one that says recovery, D:, or something of the sort.)

If you don't want to make your own recovery disk or can't, request one from your manufacturer or get one from http://restoredisks.com/

Secondly, if you've backed up everything. Try pressing F8 as your computer boots up (on Vista) or Ctrl+F11 (on XP). From here you should be able to follow a Restore to Factory Settings Wizard.

Finally, if all of this is over your head, or these options are not available to you, then contact your manufacturer's support (i.e. Dell, Gateway, HP, etc.). Truth be told, this would be the best way to figure out how to restore your computer. Make sure you include your model number when contacting them.

Good Luck!

You will need a copy of the Windows OS. Any full version will do. Or you can use another computer to download a free Linux OS. There's no way around this if you want to make it 'like new' again. After you install WIndows, you'll then have to update drivers for your soundcard, video card, modem(s) and anything else it might need. These can usually be found at the manufacture's website. Don't delete everything without a copy of windows or you just won't have a computer that functions. Regardless of what user 'uncle billy' says.... you have to have an operating system in order to run other software. A computer just won't run a software program without a 'system to tell it how to operate'. good luck :-) To Lumper35: Sorry but unless you have a hard drive with 18 million GB free allocated space, there's just no way you can System Restore back 3 years!!!!!!!!!! LOL! you made my day ;-) Update: If you don't have any viruses, spyware or anything else messing the computer up. Then just uninstall all your personal programs that your brother won't need. Go to your My Documents folder and delete all that's in those folders. Clean up the icons on your desktop. And WHALA!!!!!! Just like-new!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How To Restore Hp Desktop

If you don't have a Restore option it means you don't have a Recovery Partition on your drive. Bummer...

If you need a Recovery DVD set, you can get a replacement set from HP for about 40 bucks - you'll need the Product Number from your label under the left side of your system as you lift it up. The PN gives HP your exact System Configuration information so they can send you the right set. Remember, PRODUCT, not Model. PN's usually end with a #ABA or similar letters.

You can read how to obtain one here:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&...

Before you do that, go to the Support Site for your system and run through the Non-Boot troubleshooting procedures to narrow down the problem. You'll feel pretty stupid if you wipe your drive to factory and the problem isn't software related.

Get your Product # and go to this URL and Enter it:

http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html

Enter it in the field and select Solve a Problem, the click on the double arrows. This will take you to your system's Support Page for your particular Configuration. Select Solve a Problem, then go through the menu until you find the link for Does Not Startup or Boot - it's usually at the top of the list.

Sorry but you are going to require those HP Recovery CD's. If you can't locate them, contact HP. For a nominal fee they will reissue them. These CD's are very improtant for the lifetime of the machine. Either find yours or order a new set.

Yeah it's possible

Restore solution http://goo.gl/WBC5Fy

you can go to accessories and then to system tools where you will get the restore option

F11 at start up for vista

It takes 6 seconds for Y.A. web page to display for me to be able to click on [add your answer] button. is my computer slow??