restore vista

[mark123]

My computer is infected and I would like to know how to restore the operating system
Mark

 

[richc46]

Mark you have only 2 alterantives. You can let us help you remove the virus. You MAY have to reinstall or use a factory reset.
or you can just format and reinstall.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html?ltr=C

 

[derekimo]

Re: restoring vista

Hi Mark123,

Welcome to the forum,

Do you have the restore discs or an image to restore from?

Here is a tutorial if you have a previously saved image or backup,

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/99718-restore-complete-computer.html

If you can give us the brand and model of your computer we can give you a more detailed response as to performing a factory restore.

 

[LubeckTech]

Why does the installation need to be done twice?

 

[richc46]

You said that you have a virus
We can try to remove the virus. But sometimes its so bad that we just have to reinstall. That is one option
The second option is just to reinstall. You do not have to do it twice.
I gave you a choice.

 

[chaosrealm93]

if you still have the vista installation disc, use it to format your current hard drive and reinstall a fresh copy of vista.

 

[mark123]

My system is a dell dimension c521. AMD ATHLON 64 PROCESSOR 3500+ 2.20 GHZ
1GB RAM 32 BIT OPERATING SYSTEM

I have the drivers and utilities disk and the operating system disc.
I tried to do the DELL FACTORY IMAGE RESTORE but after i selected the repair your computer the windows security came up and asked for user ID and password ( which I don't have ) instead of the system recovery option window.

 

[richc46]

Is it the Windows password? If so why dont you have it?

 

[mark123]

I believe so. The page asking for the password is in the windows security page. I always write down passwords.

 

[richc46]

Then how come you do not know it?
Just put in your password when asked.

 

[Lorien]

Hi mark123,

It sounds like you attempted to use a recovery partition procedure. If you boot to the operating system disk, you should be able to restore to factory conditions without any password requirements (though to be honest, I didn't think they applied to using the recovery partition either but I did not fully read those procedures). To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence. To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup. Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit. Put the CD in the drive and reboot. When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.

The following may help: How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft® Windows® on a Dell. It sounds like you tried step 2. You can either double-check it to verify you did it properly (and that you do need the password you can't locate) or go to step three and use the disks. I'm almost 100% certain the disks will not require a password. It provides instructions targeted for your particular computer.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

 

[mark123]

I do not have it. If I had it in the beginning I would have written it down

 

[mark123]

Lorien & Rich, Thankyou very much I will try what you suggested.

Thankyou,
Mark123

 

[richc46]

We must be sure that you are entitled to do what you request. I am concerned because of the password.