Quick question for techy types or those with techy hubbies! Urgent help!

[lunavix]

My laptop is dying and I'm wondering if there's any way of deleting everything off it and starting again so to speak. Can't system restore as there's no restore point to save to. So is there some sort of return to default that deletes everything off it?

You can do what is called zeroing the harddrive, which basically sets everything back to Zero. You'd need to look up how to do it, but I have done it.

But be warned, this will remove everything. All data, the operating system, all programs, everything.

hmm

where do i get an operating system from lol

what else will I need? drivers and things? where the hell will I get those?

Is there not a factory default lol

On the upside I could stick xp on it which would be good cos I HATE vista

You could also just reinstall your operating system, but you'd have to go buy the software, which can be pricey. Of course, you'll need to buy it anyway if you zero the machine.

Actually, what I really think you should do is take it to a professional!

have you tried defragmenting it

try that first - it's a sort of 'tidy up' of the memory
other than that you have a complete reset - I will have to double check with the geek DH, he has just done precisely this with his old laptop to give to the dses to use.

I have a complete spare vista book and unopened disk - I had a laptop for a month when it got nicked, thus i have all the stuff...at least the b@stards didnt get everything

take a look at this too?

BTW what make is it? manufacturers websites are often helpful

When you say it's dying, is there a problem with the hardware?

If you just want to reinstall the software, your laptop should have come with a restore disk. Beware, this will wipe everything, so backup anything you want to keep.

If you haven't got a disk, you don't necessarily need to buy a new operating system. You should have a sticker with a license number on the base of the laptop. If you can get a copy of the same Windows version, all you need is the license number. I believe it is even possible to get Microsoft to send you an operating system disk for a reasonable charge, but I've never tried, so I don't know for sure.

Alternatively you could install Linux. Ubuntu is free and easy to use. You can even try it without deleting Windows, either as a dual boot system or just running it from the CD.