Wipe PC but keep basic programs??

[Dave H]

I want to wipe everything from my PC before l go on holiday as its running pretty slow and may have the odd issue or two.

I am running Windows Vista and as this PC was put together by a friend l don't have any kind of 'reboot' disc that you'd get when you buy a new PC so that l can restore everything back to original.

Is there anyway that l can wipe it but keep the basic programs....and then download stuff from the web afterwards (such as AVG,Firefox etc) to replace whats gone?

 

[Munson]

No is the short answer TBH.

 

[Andy.]

System restore to day 1? I'd prefer to do a fresh install though TBH.

 

[Dave H]

System restore to day 1? I'd prefer to do a fresh install though TBH.

How is that done without a reboot disc?

 

[Andy.]

You dont have the OS disk? Can you ask the manufacturer for one?

 

[Dave H]

My PC is abit of a hybrid...put together by a friend who l don't see now.

 

[Mark One]

need a proper rebuild really. Will need a proper OS instal disk and disks for all the software too as well as all the drivers for all your hardware downloaded before you start.

 

[Munson]

See post #2

It's not going to happen unless you buy, and install Windows.

 

[Mark One]

ditch vista and get a cheap copy of XP. ebay or something possibly?

 

[Vish]

Can you not use another mate's Vista CD and then use your serial code?

I'd recommend just copying your documents and doing a fresh windows install by whatever means. Install all the drivers, programs, etc that you will want. Then use Nortan Ghost to make a back up of the harddrive and save to a partition or portable harddrive. Then when it gets slow, save your new documents/songs/etc and restore the back up, and it'll be as new again with everything installed as when you saved. Copy data back and its a much quicker solution than reformatting and installing everytime it get slow.

 

[wozzaa]

Aquire a copy of windows.

Start again.

 

[iain187]

I want to wipe everything from my PC before l go on holiday as its running pretty slow and may have the odd issue or two.

I am running Windows Vista and as this PC was put together by a friend l don't have any kind of 'reboot' disc that you'd get when you buy a new PC so that l can restore everything back to original.

Is there anyway that l can wipe it but keep the basic programs....and then download stuff from the web afterwards (such as AVG,Firefox etc) to replace whats gone?

what basic programs are you planning to keep if you are going to download Anti Virus and Internet Browser afterwards?