Need Computer Help!

[professional20]

Hey Black hatters!

I'm in need of some PC help. Like every other computer, they start getting slow after a while. I want to know how i can completely delete everything, and i mean bringing it back to how it comes when i first bought it. I have already copied my important files to USB Flash Drives.

Is it even possible to bring it back to how it was at first?

Possible Helpful Info:

Dell Dimension E521
OS: Windows Vista (Still Have The CD)

Thanks in advance BHW! :rain:

 

[shm03]

Download a nice xp iso from thepiratebay, burn it to a dvd.

Make an live install of linux on a cd or usb, so you can boot into it without installing then just format the hard drive.

Then insert xp dvd and run it.

 

[otto14]

Format it!
Check it on G and youtube if you don't know how

 

[chickuzt]

shm03, did you read? He said he already has the vista cd. Just plug in the vista cd restart your computer. Partition over your old install and choose full instal, noot quick and your done.

 

[professional20]

Download a nice xp iso from thepiratebay, burn it to a dvd.

Make an live install of linux on a cd or usb, so you can boot into it without installing then just format the hard drive.

Then insert xp dvd and run it.

Forgot to mention I dont want to change my OS. I just want to delete everything i have on my pc right now. I know i can just uninstall whatever programs i dont use etc etc, but we all know there's a shitload of files that are hidden and left overs from other programs..

 

[professional20]

shm03, did you read? He said he already has the vista cd. Just plug in the vista cd restart your computer. Partition over your old install and choose full instal, noot quick and your done.

wait, so just insert the cd and restart the pc, then click Full install?

 

[shm03]

Ah, sorry I missread sorry!

Yeah, just insert it and restart the pc it should work straight up. You may need to change the BIOS settings but the chances of that are slim.

 

[markm455]

In the end its just easier to save your important files and reimage. Otherwise you will spend hours trying to clean stuff up. I now keep all my important stuff on a RAID NAS unit. That way when I redo my computer every 6 months or so I dont have to deal with moving files around.

 

[professional20]

Ok i will log in from my laptop in a few then and i will post here my progress since i dont know much when it comes to this stuff. Thanks for the help!

@ Markm455: Reimage..NAS UNIT..thats all chinese to me lol sry.

 

[professional20]

When i go to "My Computer" and right click on Drive C, there is an option that says Format..
Is that the same?

 

[cskgsquad]

It may be over kill, but you can use this tool to clean everything first, then install windows fresh.

http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

I am not an expert, but I always think there must be bits and pieces left over from the previous install when I don't kill disk it. It's free and takes an hour or so, if you have the time and others recommend it, I'd say go that route.

All the directions are on that site and it's pretty simple. Once complete, just insert your Windows Install CD and follow the steps.

If you don't want to kill disk it then just insert the CD and restart the computer, it should boot up in to the Windows Install screen. Delete the current partition first, then install Windows.

*Make sure you have the correct drivers ready to complete the install.

 

[professional20]

It may be over kill, but you can use this tool to clean everything first, then install windows fresh.

http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

I am not an expert, but I always think there must be bits and pieces left over from the previous install when I don't kill disk it. It's free and takes an hour or so, if you have the time and others recommend it, I'd say go that route.

All the directions are on that site and it's pretty simple. Once complete, just insert your Windows Install CD and follow the steps.

If you don't want to kill disk it then just insert the CD and restart the computer, it should boot up in to the Windows Install screen. Delete the current partition first, then install Windows.

*Make sure you have the correct drivers ready to complete the install.

Uh oh..correct drivers?

 

[Deleted member 23846]

dont do what he says
just pop the cd follow the instructions on screen and you will be done in no time(im 13 and i can do it lol)

 

[professional20]

dont do what he says
just pop the cd follow the instructions on screen and you will be done in no time(im 13 and i can do it lol)

How do i know if i have the correct drivers though, i mean..my computer is working fine right now just slow..so shouldnt it work with the drivers it has now once i install vista again?

 

[Deleted member 23846]

if you have a backup of the files you need i dont see the problem no files will be remaining once the install has reformatted your computer

 

[professional20]

ahh im just going to reformat, if it doesnt work then ill just buy a new one whenever it stops raining. thanks guys.

 

[cskgsquad]

Drivers for your computer are all listed here:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=DIM_P4_E521&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=

If that for some reason doesn't work go here:

http://www.dell.com/

On the bottom of the page you will see a heading "Support" just under that click Drivers and Downloads.

The select your desktop and the product number.

After you re-install Windows you will not have the correct drivers for things like sound or internet. The website will have every driver you will need and even some you may not. Just go through them, they are self-explanatory, and pick the ones you need. Dell gives you the option to select "Recommended" drivers, then you will not have to install many of the unnecessary ones.

Post any questions here I'll try and help.

 

[Deleted member 23846]

you wont need to buy a new computer if you do can i have it i really need a new computer

 

[professional20]

Drivers for your computer are all listed here:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=DIM_P4_E521&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=

If that for some reason doesn't work go here:

http://www.dell.com/

On the bottom of the page you will see a heading "Support" just under that click Drivers and Downloads.

The select your desktop and the product number.

After you re-install Windows you will not have the correct drivers for things like sound or internet. The website will have every driver you will need and even some you may not. Just go through them, they are self-explanatory, and pick the ones you need. Dell gives you the option to select "Recommended" drivers, then you will not have to install many of the unnecessary ones.

Post any questions here I'll try and help.

Ok thanks so I go to this site AFTER i re-install windows right?

 

[Deleted member 23846]

correct