How do I make my computer back to it's default condition?
 

I'm starting a new thread because if I put this on the dsl thread I'll bang myself in the head.

I went to google, and typed in How to restore your computer back to it's factory fresh state"

I got MANY links. But after reading many of them, all they say is use the restore cds that came with the computer (I don't have any), or they say "use the windows xp cd). I don't have any.

I don't know if there is a copy saved on my computer (of the operating system)

When I bought this from HP it was all bundled (if this info helps).

Also, and this is important, when I brought the computer in for a new motherboard (last summer), when I got it home, well what happened when I start up the computer, well it's confusing as heck.

When I start the computer, it does not come up HP, it comes up COMPAQ.

I had immediately gone back to the computer guy and he said something but if you think I understood what he said, forget it. I did not.

So I have WINDOWS XP, I have a HP Media Center PC that says COMPAQ when you start it up. I want to press some button so it will restore itself back to when I first got it.

Is this possible?

thanks much

Melody

Nooo - that wipes out all your files & documents!!

Compaq & HP are like partners all the same more or less.

Go to the HP website and look up your computer in the support section for details of how to restore it. That is the best way.

[[CAUTION: Performing a Destructive Recovery will format the hard drive. This will delete all the information on the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP and the original software that came with the computer.Performing a System Recovery replaces system files and original software with the files that originally came with the computer. This process might move or remove certain files, like those stored in My Documents. Before performing a System Recovery backup important files and the files stored in the My Documents folder.In either case, be prepared to reinstall software that was not originally included with the computer. You will also need to reconfigure an Internet Connection and obtain all critical Windows Updates, Virus definition updates, and anti-spyware updates.

HP computers that ship with Microsoft Windows XP do not come with recovery CDs. Instead, they use a hidden space (partition) on the hard drive to store the recovery information. The use of a separate partition provides a convenient process that eliminates the use of recovery discs that may be lost or scratched. A system recovery from the hard drive may not be possible in some circumstances. Your computer may contain Recovery Disc Creation software. Recovery discs for Windows XP are available from HP for a minimal cost. See Obtaining Recovery Discs for ordering information. ]]
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...ct=434459#N417


how to order recovery disks -
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...uct=434459#N75
??
When the computer guy worked on your hard drive did he leave or remove the original restore files on the partition that HP had when they sold it.

Oh my god, people know how to do these things??? I'm going to lose my mind.

I'm not doing this. My brain can't take this.

lol

Melody

Jo, my friend just lent me her Compaq notebook. I made a new thread because I didn't know where the ethernet port is. I have found it.

I am going to hook it up and turn it on.

Will update. Unless my brain explodes

Melody

I know what you mean - mine is driving me nuts lately.

I don't really like the Windows files and settings transfer thing.

If I EVER buy another computer (or a laptop), I think I'll get a MAC. I know nothing about those either.

lol

Melody

Oh, I have to make you laugh. I was all about to go and learn how to re-format the hard drive when I said "go on youtube, I bet someone made a video".

Sure enough, I go to youtube, I type in "how to re-format the hard drive", and a video pops up.

The guy starts to speak and I burst out laughing.

He was about 10 years old.

I feel like 100

lol
Melody

formatting is the easy part :)- it's getting all the stuff you want to save that is more of a hassle.

Hi Melody,
From what I understand, when you took that computer and had a new motherboard put in, they probably replaced it with a used motherboard from a compaq computer. If they charged you for a new motherboard, you probably got stuck and didn't know it. If they had ordered a new board, they would have gotten an OEM board made for your system or a name brand board like Asus, Gigabyte or MSI that was compatible with your processor and memory. OEM stands for origional equipment manufacture. A lot of computer repair shops are nutorious for this. They take a compatible motherboard that works from an old system that someone probably gave them and put it in your system and charged you for a new motherboard.

Good Luck, rlj1959

and when I noticed this and I brought it to his attention, he gave me an explanation but darn if I can remember. It took me a month to get this back because he told me he ordered it from China.

He did back up everything and put it back on my computer, telling me he partitioned the hard drive (I have no clue).

I absolutely agree with you that he did this.

It's like when you bring your car into a mechanic (and you don't know squat about engines), and you have to trust the mechanic to tell you the truth.

Yeah right? It's like trusting a plumber to come in your house and give you an honest estimate.

Oh well.

thanks much
Melody

Yep You Got Ripped,
Computer repair shops here in ther US don't order replacement parts from China. There are several wholesale distributors right here in the US not to mention retail stores that have most anything they need or could possibly order from China. And there again, the shipping and import fees would cost more than the motherboard itself if shipped from China. HP and Compaq are the same company. They just sell under different brand names. They flooded the market for years with these Compaq Internet PCs and thats about all they had the power to do, browse the web and do email. People try to run more high performance programs like photo editing or MS Office or better yet, video games. So they end taking their computer to a shop wanting to increase it's power and this is not possible as these computers are not designed to be upgraded more than adding a little memory. The computer shop talks them into letting them build them a high performance computer to run these programs and games. 9 times out of 10, that person just gives that old Compaq to the repair shop to avoid all the inviromental laws involved in just throwing it away.

Sorry this happened to you, rlj1959

Mel, how much did it cost you for that "new" MB and the other things he/they did to the computer? If you don't mind telling...
I'm just curious, now that this other info has came up.
I'm just kind of surprised and curious about this "china mb" when any similar mb would work. :confused:


Mainly because I rehabbed a "broken" HP desktop with a spare Asus MB /cpu and got rid of all the HP proprietary baloney with a clean formatting & install of dd's XP cd - she is still using it although we upgraded all the internals since that first time.

Well, obviously I'm not going back to HIM again. And he was so nice.

He did give me one piece of advice when I asked him about buying a laptop. He said "don't", look at all the laptops I have to fix. And he had 20 laptops all over his store in different sorts of condition He said "laptops are notorious for needing repairs, so get a desktop.

He did however (while I was waiting to get my computer back), since his store is only a few blocks from my house, he always let me come in, use his computer and go on these forums. I never did any purchasing or private info but I thought that was nice of him.

Too bad (after what you told me about not buying parts from China). I don't trust him anymore.

Melody

I have the receipt right in front of me. And everybody in the neighborhood goes to this guy and they love him. He fixes everybody's computers.

Okay, here's the breakdown.

1 MB - brand new - $150.00
1 Ram DDRI 19B/400 (at least it looks like 19B to me)- $65.00
1 clean up the system (I was there when he took off the cover of the tower and used this blowing thing and the dust that came out of that blew me away) - $50.00

Total - $265 and that's what I paid him last February.

And there is a note that says ONE YEAR WARRANTY FOR RAM.

Rip-off or no rip-off???

lol
mel

Well ,it's hard to say... he may have sent for an exact HP MB, but that doesn't explain why it says Compaq during the boot up....:confused:

but then again maybe that's what he had to get so he could reuse your same CPU & RAM since it is 7 yrs old. :confused:

The receipt doesn't say a part or model # for the MB?
if so you could google that # and see what it is for sure.
unless you want to download one of those system/device identifying programs.
but I don't know that it really matters too much-as long as it works well now.

but he didn't suggest at all that your computer is probably not worth the cost to do the fix ups due to it's age???
Your hard drive could have been plugged into a newer or new machine so you could still access the info on it.

7 years is getting old for a pc - unless the insides have all been upgraded along the way.


I just upgraded my power supply, got a spare cpu as I thought mine was going bad - a cheap one off ebay 15.00- (mainly for test/ backup), added a gig of RAM, all because I thought things were having a problem but I think it is now the onboard video... :rolleyes:
sometimes pcs are not easy LOL.


My mb is having issues with the onboard graphics - causes the display to go all weird at times and have to reboot (monitor is only 5 months old)
my mb is 4-5 yrs old - most of the new mb have different cpu types & ram types now. So I'd have to buy all new stuff if I upgrade with new mb.

So just late last night on ebay I found a refurbished exact mb like I have right now - and luckily it's not too far from here - so if it does have problems - the guy knows I'm not too far away...:)

So anyway I spent 70.00 for this refurbished mb just so I can reuse my same cps & Ram - I'll let you know if it works out or not...

I think you are absolutely amazing and I wish I had your brain.

I'm also putting up a new question for you. It's a doozy. And if you want to have the best laugh of your life, go to "On the Lighter Side, and read my latest post. I put up THE FUNNIEST YOUTUBE VIDEO you have ever seen.

Believe it.

Melody

If the receipt don't say anything about the warranty for the MB then its not brand new and thats where he got you. That ram is probably 1GB/DDR400 and it cost him about $30.00. I have bought plenty of it so I know what it cost. Yes mam, he took you to the cleaners.

All I can say is :(

lol, Melody

Hi Jo*mar,
He couldn't have ordered a motherboard from China. The shipping and import fees would have been around $125.00 by itself. The reason the computer says Compac when its turned on is because of the bios chip on the board. If she new how to go into the bios setup and turn off the bios splash, it would show the date of the bios and I will bet you anything that it is a lot older than Febuary 2010. I'm sorry for her but this lady simply got ripped.