Tip & How-To about Computers & Internet

Restore computer to factory default settings

Restoring the original factory image erases ALL existing data. This includes files, folders, programs, drivers, E-mails, photos. Before performing a PC Restore, back up all personal files. If you do not back up your personal files, the data will be lost.
Each computer manufacture has slightly different procedures but this is how it works.

When you turn it on right at the beginning there is a black screen and there are a few f key options.
They will flash up with the option when you turned it on, before windows kicks in. Take a look at the user manual to find out for sure.
Press the correct f key before windows starts up, then go through the menus in setup (it will look all crappy and dos like) and find restore factory settings (or something like that) and click yes.
The recovery process can take from 30 minutes to two or more hours to complete. The computer will appear to stop working for long periods of time and will then restart several times. Do not interrupt the process, nor attempt to use the computer
If your computer does not have a restore partition, then you'll need the CDs that came with your computer. Insert the first cd and follow directions. Refer to your owners manual for complete instructions.
It's a great feature, and will completely kill any virus or ANY problems you have had and couldn't get rid of.

Hope this helps. I would appreciate your feed back as I do this for fun not pay.
Jim

Posted by on

Computers & Internet Logo

Related Topics:

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

reset to factory settings

Restoring the original factory image erases ALL existing data. This includes files, folders, programs, drivers, E-mails, photos. Before performing a PC Restore, back up all personal files. If you do not back up your personal files, the data will be lost.


You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.

3 Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.
4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.
5 Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.
6 Click Dell Factory Image Restore.
7 In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.
8 Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.
9 Click Next.
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.
10 When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.

BE AWARE. EVERYTHING WILL BE DELETED> USE AT OWN RISK! BACK UP IMPORTANT DATA TO EXTERNAL HARDRIVE
0helpful
1answer

master reset htc phone

Hard or master reset


A hard reset restores the original factory settings and may erase all downloaded content, including ringtones, images, programs, and contacts stored in the internal memory. To perform a hard reset, follow these steps:


  1. Back up all necessary data by copying any files you want to save from your phone to your computer.
  2. From the Start screen, swipe left.
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. Tap about.
  5. Tap reset your phone.
  6. Tap yes.


Hard or master reset using hardware buttons


If the phone is locked, frozen, or unresponsive, you can hard reset it using the hardware keys instead of the menu. A hard reset restores the original factory settings and may erase all downloaded content, including ringtones, images, programs, and contacts stored in the internal memory. To perform a hard reset using hardware keys, follow these steps:


  1. Back up all necessary data by copying any files you want to save from your phone to your computer.
  2. With the phone turned off, press and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down keys.
  3. While still pressing the Volume keys, quickly press the Power/Lock key.
  4. When the device displays 'This operation will delete all your personal data, and reset all settings to manufacturer default. Press Vol Down to restore manufacturer default, or press other keys to cancel.', release the Volume keys.
  5. Press the Volume Down key to reset the device.
0helpful
2answers

how do i rest my dell computer to factory settings

Resetting a consumer desktop/laptop to factory settings is fairly straight-forward. Follow the steps below to reinstall the OS and drivers.
Before beginning, here are the items you will need:
A. Computer/laptop B. Microsoft Windows OS CD/DVD
1. Power on your computer. 2. Insert the Windows OS CD/DVD in to the optical drive. 3. Restart the computer and boot from the CD/DVD when prompted. 4. Follow the installation prompts to complete the install. 5. Once completed, eject the CD/DVD and perform a Windows Update to update the system and any drivers you may be missing.
0helpful
2answers

I want to wipe my computer and take everything back to factory settings with only the programs that wcomes with windows. My computer is a little older but I have a dell and it has windows xp profesional on it. I havehe product key for my windows but now disk. Is there any way I can do this?

1 Turn on the computer.
During the boot process, a blue bar with www.dell.com appears at the top of the screen.
2 Immediately upon seeing the blue bar, press <Ctrl><F11>.
If you do not press <Ctrl><F11> in time, let the computer finish starting, and then restart the
computer again.
NOTICE: If you do not want to proceed with PC Restore, click Reboot in the following step.
3 On the next screen that appears, click Restore.
4 On the next screen, click Confirm.
The restore process takes approximately 6–10 minutes to complete.
5 When prompted, click Finish to reboot the computer.
NOTE: Do not manually shut down the computer. Click Finish and let the computer completely reboot.
6 When prompted, click Yes.
The computer restarts. Because the computer is restored to its original operating state, the screens that
appear, such as the End User License Agreement, are the same ones that appeared the first time the
computer was turned on.
7 Click Next.
The System Restore screen appears and the computer restarts.
8 After the computer restarts, click OK.
0helpful
1answer

I need to reset my Dell Inspiron B130 to factory setting

Using PC Restore in Windows XP or Media Center
new_notice.jpg Notice: Restoring the original factory image erases ALL existing data. This includes files, folders, programs, drivers, E-mails, photos. Before performing a PC Restore, back up all personal files. If you do not back up your personal files, the data will be lost.
1 Turn on the computer.
2 When the Dell splash screen appears during the computer startup process, press and hold <Ctrl> and then press <F11>. Then, release both keys at the same time.
3 In the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window, click Restore. Alternatively, press <Tab> to highlight Restore, and then press <Enter>.
4 When a warning message appears stating that all data will be lost, click Confirm, or press <Tab> to highlight Confirm and then press <Enter>.

The Progress window will appear. Once the restore process starts, Dell PC Restore by Symantec usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to finish.

When the restore process is complete, the following message will appear:
The system recovery process was successful.
5 Click Finish or press <Tab> to highlight Finish and then press <Enter> to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
If I could be of further assistance, let me know. If this helps or solves the issue, please rate it.
Thanks, Joe


I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/joe_8b8c2cd6ce148309

Not finding what you are looking for?

3,346 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Computers & Internet Experts

Grand Canyon Tech
Grand Canyon Tech

Level 3 Expert

3867 Answers

Brad Brown

Level 3 Expert

19187 Answers

Cindy Wells

Level 3 Expert

6688 Answers

Are you a Computer and Internet Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Loading...