I want to reset my computer to its factory settings

Anonymous
2013-06-05T12:51:48+00:00

I want to reset my computer to factory settings, completely wiping it clean., I downloaded vista service pack two when it came out so I don't have the disk. I have the original disk but it says I need service pack 2, how can I restore to factory settings without the disk it asks for? I have a Dell Inspiron 1525 with service pack 2 downloaded.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Recovery and backup

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Anonymous
2013-06-05T13:03:21+00:00

Hi,

There are various methods to reinstall Vista.

There is no Windows Vista download available from Microsoft.

You can contact your Computer Manufacturer and ask them to send you a set of Recovery Disks.

They should do that for a small cost.

To reinstall Vista using their Recovery Disk/s, you Boot from the 1st Recovery Disk they supply and follow the Manufacturer's instructions to reinstall:

You will have to change the Boot Order to make the DVD/CD Drive 1st in the Boot Order:

How to change the Boot Order in BIOS:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ss/bootorderchange.htm

"How to replace Microsoft software or hardware, order service packs, and replace product manuals"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246

And if you never received a Recovery Disk when you purchased your Computer there should be a Recovery Partition on the Hard Drive to reinstall Vista back to how you bought your Computer.

The Recovery process can be started by pressing a particular Key or Keys combination at Boot. (Power On / Startup)

It may be F10, F11, Alt + F10, etc depending on the Manufacturer.

Ask them for the correct Key sequence.

And if you do have a Manufacturer's Recovery Partition on your Hard Drive, you should be able to make your own Recovery Disks from it to reinstall the Operating System.

Look under Programs > your Computer Manufacturer's name > then their System Tools or Recovery Software Headings for them, depending how it is worded.

If you can not find any reference to it, contact the Manufacturer for advice on how to make those Recovery Disks.

Some manufacturers no longer have Vista Recovery Disks available.

If that happens, you may have to try this instead:

You can also borrow and use a Microsoft Vista DVD, that contains the files for the various Vista Editions (Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate) to be installed. The Product Key on your Computer / Laptop case determines which Edition is installed.

Other Manufacturers' Recovery DVDs are not to be used for the above purpose.

And you need to know the "bit" version for Vista, as 32bit and 64bit Editions come on different DVDs

Here is how to do a clean install of Vista, using a Microsoft Vista DVD:

"How to Do a Clean Install and Setup with a Full Version of Vista"

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/117366-clean-install-full-version-vista.html

And once the Operating System is installed, go to your Computer Manufacturer's website and obtain the latest Drivers for your particular Model Computer or Laptop.

And phone Activation may be required when using the above clean install Method.

"How to Activate Vista Normally and by Phone Activation"

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/84488-activate-vista-phone.html

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And this is the DELL information for reinstalling to Factory Settings:

How ro reinstall from the Dell Recovery partition:

http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/04/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&docid=DSN\_336966

How to reinstall from the Dell supplied Disk:

http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&docid=DSN\_339949

Dell troubleshooting with Boot issues:

http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&docid=DSN\_343119

Run builtin diagnostics software:

http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/04/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&docid=266787

And if that does not solve your problems, contact Dell or their Support Forums:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/default.aspx

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How tor einstall Servive Packs after reinstalling Vista:

Click Start > right click Computer > left click Properties > see if you have Vista 32bit or Vista 64bit installed.

It will also tell you there what SP you have installed.

Then choose the correct "bit" download to use to install the Service Packs, installing SP1 first if it is not already installed.

Vista SP1 32bit (x86): http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30

Vista SP1 64bit: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=21299

Vista SP2 32bit (x86): http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=16468

Vista SP2 64bit: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17669

This Microsoft Information may assist you to troubleshoot problems that you are having when installing Service Packs for Vista.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947366

Cheers.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-23T07:41:15+00:00

    reset to factory reset

    I suggest that you read the prior replies in this Thread.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-23T02:04:28+00:00

    reset to factory reset

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-23T02:03:15+00:00

    I wont to reset my computer to factory reset

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    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. lmacri 2,505 Reputation points
    2017-11-27T21:08:42+00:00

    my pc is a acer aspire 3680 what do i do ...to factory reset and maybe up grade to windows 7

    Hi markormesherNQ:

    There are instructions <here> on Tom's Hardware site on how to use the Acer eRecovery program to perform a factory reset on an Acer Aspire 3680 if you don't have a set of recovery discs [warning: back up all important user files to a backup drive first since a factory reset will wipe all data and applications on the system partition (usually the C:\ drive) that were not installed at the factory], but you might want to post back and let us know what issues you're having on your computer before starting.

    There is currently a known issue where Windows Update can hang on "Checking for updates..." for several hours (or even days) on Vista SP2 computers and cause high CPU consumption and poor system performance that Vista users often mistake as a hidden malware infection.  If you are affected by these "Checking for updates..." hangs it's likely that resetting your system to factory settings will not solve your problem and could actually make it much worse if Windows Update stops working again as soon as you update back to Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2).

    Extended support for Vista SP2 ended on 11-Apr-2017.  To see if Windows Update delivered your last batch of Vista SP2 security updates in April 2017, open your IE9 browser, go to Help | About Internet Explorer, and confirm that IE9 was patched to Update Versions 9.0.60 / KB4014661 (Cumulative security update for Internet Explorer 9: April 11, 2017) as shown below. 

    If your IE9 Update Version is older than v9.0.60 see the instructions on page 1 of m#l's thread Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours to see if that gets Windows Update working again.  Note that m#l's thread includes special instructions for users who have MS Office 2007, MS Office 2010 and/or the MS Office Compatibility Pack SP3 installed since these older Office products can also trigger these "Checking for updates..." hangs.

    You can download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20 (basic requirement are also listed at https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/10737/windows-7-system-requirements) to see if your system hardware and peripherals are compatible with Win 7 but you cannot upgrade from Vista SP2 to Win 7 SP1 for free.   You would have to purchase a new Win 7 upgrade DVD or product key, and prices on sites like https://www.newegg.com/ currently range around $100 - $200 US.  Win 7 SP1 reaches the end of extended support on 14-Jan-2020 so it might not make sense to spend that much money to upgrade your OS on a machine with a relatively slow CPU, limited RAM and older hardware components (e.g., network and graphics cards, etc).

    32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.5.0 * NS v22.11.2.7 * MB Premium v3.3.1

    HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

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