Windows XP Home Edition- Restore to Factory Settings

[ahousholder]

Hi, I have an older computer that I am trying to clean up.  It is an emachine T2042 and I've had it for about 8 years.  Regretfully, I haven't taken very good care of it.  For a long time it has been running very slow and install windows continuously pop up.  So, I want to restore it to factory settings.  I have done this before on my new computer.  However, my new computer runs on Windows XP Media Center.  I was wondering if it is possible to restore my old computer, running on Home Edition, back to factory settings?  I have tried defragmenting, clearing out files, checking for viruses and spam, and nothing has helped.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[The Saviour]

If you're not worried about saving any files you have currently saved on the computer, you may want to find the recovery CDs that came with the emachine and use them to restore your computer.

Of course, that only helps if you have the recovery CDs...

Do you?

[ahousholder]

No, I don't have any recovery CDs.  I was never given any when I bought the computer.  I actually want to clear out all of the information because the computer is going to a friend (Which is why I'm trying to fix it up).

[The Saviour]

Then see if there is a program installed on it, by eMachine, that will actually use a hidden partition that stores all the factory settings.

If so, you can use that program to recover your computer to its factory settings.

If there isn't one, and you don't want to spend the money for recovery CDs, then you can simply format the hard drive to remove your information and have the person you're giving the computer to install their own operating system.

Those seem to be your only alternatives.

[ahousholder]

How do I know if a program like that is on it?  I don't even know where to look or what to look for....

[The Saviour]

If the computer boots into windows, click the Start menu button and select 'All Programs'.

Look for a menu item for a program supplied by eMachine...I'm not sure if they have such a program, but will research it for you if need be.

Basically what we're looking for is a program that may say 'eMachine Recovery' or 'Recovery' or something similar.  Don't confuse it with Windows XP Recovery or System Restore.

Hopefully, this will help...if not, I'll see what I can find out from eMachine...okay?

[ahousholder]

The only thing that I can find is the System Recovery (which hasn't worked in probably 2 years).  I even went and did a search through the computer for "recovery" and I came up with nothing....

[unlovedwarrior]

When you start your computer on the Emachines loading screen, do you see f10= recovery or something.

[The Saviour]

If you can't find the program...or if you don't have the option unlovedwarrior recommended in his post...you have two options:

1)  Purchase the Recovery CDs from eMachine.

2)  Format the drive to remove your info and let the new owner be responsible for installing an operating system.

If anyone else has an idea...we're all ears...

[Theraidiation]

Dell's hardware and drivers tend to be proprietary so, this might not work, as you've had a new motherboard installed. If your Dell System was purchased post 7/14/2004? At the Biostar splash screen hit and hold the Ctrl key, then hit the F11 key once, releasing both the Ctrl + F11 keys simultaneously. If everything is still good, you should get the PC Restore utility by Symantec. This will restore your system to the factory "out-of the-box" state. If it doesn't work then the utility has been deleted or corrupted by the motherboard replacement and will not work...Good Luck!

[patio]

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