More Awesome Than You!

I have an Inspiron 1100 laptop from Dell, and I want to do a total system restore back to how it was when I first took it out of the package in fall of 2003. However, I have not a clue how to do this. I've backed up all important files on my portable flashdrive, and gotten out the cds that came with my laptop (as well as the cds that came with my parent's computer--my mom having put them all in the same box). What do I do now? I'm at a total loss... Any help, even whacks on the head for being an idiot are welcome.

Thank you!

Hey I have the same computer.  What you do is  go to control panel..bring up performance and maintenance... and up in the left hand corner is a little window with system restore.  And it will  walk you through it from there on.. Im assuming youre on windowsxp.

I have XP and that was my first thought, but it won't let me go back any farther than May 2006 to choose a restore point....so I'm not sure what to do.

when did you notice a problem? or what are you trying to fix?

My computer just needs a good purge. Late Feburary it stopped being able to play videos correctly, I've still got files left over from the Sims 1 that weren't uninstalled and I can't delete, and I've got a mutlitude of extraneous little programs and games. I just to start the school year with a clean slate so to speak.

you could try to create a restore point.  Have you had to reformat or repair your windows around May 2006? I had to  afew days ago so it wont let me go past august 18 2006. That might be why.   

The only thing I could of happening around May is my computer downloaded one of the Windows updates...could that make a difference? If so, is there anyway I could work around that?

the updates wont affect that... hmm   you did click on the arrows by the dates didnt you? hmmm... try the create a restore point.. if not then hmm.. I guess manually delete the games and such that you dont play anymore and maybe a scan disc and disc defragment to free up space.

I have deleted a lot of the games (I've got 45% free space according to the defragmentor analysis), but I can't get rid of all of the files from the old Sims 1 game. I unistalled them with the clean uninstaller that maxis gave, but it left folders in the program files, and I can't get rid of them...

It wont allow you to send them to the recycle bin?  Is there anything left in the add and remove programs from sims 1?

Nope. I can't get rid of them at all. And I'd rather like to. I guess if I can't system restore it's not big deal (though I really want to find a way to re-install my drivers, is there anyway to do this without a system restore? I think the problem with my laptop's inability to play vidoes stems from a faulty driver/codex?)

My favorite way to restore my system to 'like new' is very simple.

format c:\

 ;D

I wouldn't even bother with the Windows System Restore unless there's an actual problem with Window, I've had the system restore screw up a good install.  Then again, that was with Windows Miserable Edition (ME) so they might have improved it since then.  That's not what you want though if you want a clean install, since it only changes settings.

Since your laptop came with restore CDs, you can wipe everything on there and reinstall windows.  To do this, there should be a disk that is called "Recovery CD 1" or something similar.  Put this in the drive, restart the computer and follow the instructions that it gives you.

System Restore in WinXP is definitely much more reliable than WinME. Of course, EVERYTHING is more reliable than WinME.

Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup . Insert your CD(s). Hit "Next" then check "Restore From A Backup" and hit "Next".  Backup will guide you from there.  This is assuming your CD is an actual PC backup (it isn't a Windows Install CD is it?).  Or you can do it the hard way by booting from your CD by inserting your CD then restarting your computer.