[Celtic22]

Hi.
I read the sticky on Factory Reset which is very interesting.
As I have had a lot of problems with my old Vista machine lately I was
wondering about Factory Reset or Windows Reinstall.
I have the Recovery Disc that came with the machine 8 years ago.
As a novice I would very much appreciate member views on this topic.
Thanks.

 

[spunk.funk]

What is the make and model # of your computer?
Be sure to backup all personal files you want to keep to a USB HDD first.
Your computer probably has a Recovery Partition which you would access pressing a certain key at bootup. For many manufacturers that is the F11 key depending on make.
Or boot up off of your Recovery CD. Either option will wipe all personal files and installed programs and set the computer back to Factory Defaults like it came in the box. If neither of those options work, and you have a retail copy of Vista or Windows 7 disc you can boot from that disc and do a Clean install.

 

[Celtic22]

Thanks.
Make and Model is Medion MD96290.

 

[bassfisher6522]

A factory reset is a windows reinstall.

 

[Celtic22]

Shows just how much of a novice I am.
I didn't know whether to use the Recovery Disc, supplied with the
machine, or to do a factory reset.

 

[spunk.funk]

Should be the same. Older machines may require you to supply the Recovery CD.

 

[Celtic22]

Thank you.

 

[Corday]

Whatever you use, save all your personal data (backup to external medium) and after installation run Windows Update which will take a few shut downs and reboots.

 

[Celtic22]

Hi Corday.
Thanks.
I don't own an external backup device or a USB stick.
Would it be possible to back up to the cloud?
I would be looking to back up Firefox, Thunderbird with files and folders, Mail Spam Protector, and
Event Planner.
Would be interested to hear if there is any programme that you would recommend.

 

[Corday]

Yes, cloud backup. Check the free ones. If not enough free space, use more than one to get all your stuff on for free. Start with Microsoft, Google, Yahoo etc.

 

[Celtic22]

Many thanks Corday.