Can I restore my computer

[richcash]

My computer has only 2.68 GB left out of 18 GB and I haven't installed anything on it! I think the cause is due to spyware before I protected it, but this is the most space I can get on my computer. Only Turing and a few players (we're talking MB's here!) were installed on my computer and I have no space left!

So, I am wondering if there is anyway I can delete everything on my computer since the date I got it. Is there any way to delete everything except for the Windows OS files? I know I could reformat it, but I heard that takes skill, so I'm not sure if that's an option. Thanks for any suggestions!

[Cervantes]

Reformatting is easy. You just have to be sure you've got everything backed up. And from the sounds of it, you don't have anything of importance on your computer, so you should be fine.

The only trouble might be if your computer manufacturer did the stupid thing of putting Windows on a protected, read-only partition. If they did do that, then I'm not quite sure what to do. There should be a way to remove everything but the operating system. Likely that means formatting your non-OS, non-booting partition.

Which version of Windows are you using? That will affect how you format.

[md]

There is no such thing as a read-only partition. If you boot from a windows install CD you can delete the partitions and install again from scratch. Just be sure you backup any files you want to keep.

[richcash]

I have Windows XP.
Do I need the Windows XP cd to reformat, because I'm not sure if I have the full version (I got it accidentally). The menu for the cd doesn't have the option to reformat and install Windows XP, it just has the option install Windows XP. I'm not sure, but if there's a way to do it without the CD (delete everything except XP OS files) then it would probably be safer!

[neufelni]

What you can do is a System Restore. Go to your start menu > all programs > accecories > system tools > system restore. With this you can restore your computer to what it was like on any date.

[richcash]

Thanks Nick, that is a neat feature, but when I tried to restore my computer to May 30, it said that my computer could not be restored to this date. Plus, I don't think it would delete viruses and/or spyware because it says it doesn't delete any documents. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

[md]

System restore does not restore your system to any date. It restores some windows files to a date on which you made a system restore point. That's all.

You need to restart and boot from the CD in order to get the reformatting options.

[TokenHerbz]

I never used a system restore yet, tho iv'e make points.

So if i use one from when i got the comp, i wont lose all my files, and games iv'e installed, and saved, from then?

[md]

No, you won't lose your files. You do stand a very good chance of breaking your computer though. System restore points are a horrible cludge.

[TokenHerbz]

what do you mean?

I should avoid them...??

[Blade]

if you restore your system to a point before you installed any program or game, then it'll appear as if you havent installed it. i'm not sure if they files themselves stay or not. i know files that you downloaded or documents you created will not be deleted though.

viruses (IE toolbars, 'installed spyware') that installed themselves will be gone, programs installed will appear as if they werent installed, any changes to themes, screensavers, changed wallpapers will go back to the way it was when you created the restore point.

[Ninja]

ya bro hes right. Your best bet is to reformat windows from scratch. Make sure your BIOs is set to boot from CD-ROM first and then put the cd in and restart your pc..also back stuff up on a flash/external USB hard drive if u need anything backed up. Put your cd in go through it all, delete your existing partition, make a new one with NTFS file system type not FAT/FAT32(file allocation table) thats old stuff u dont need that lol. Also, before u reformat back up some driver files like USB or somethin if ure using a USB modem type internet..aka bell sympatico..in that cause download your usb drivers onto a CD or something and then install them right away after u reformat windows. Then, install all other drivers, get firefox, get rid of IE..and download ad-ware,avg/avast anti virus and have fun