formatting computer

[biker5]

i hav an hp laptop and want to restore to original , any ideas how to do this?
i want to clear everything as i have an external hardrive with everything on.

[Beat Bug]

Did it come with a CD? If not, you can probably get one by contacting HP. My daughter got one this way.

[torisdale]

easy done.
What operating system do you use and ill give more information.
:)

[biker5]

its windows vista
cheers

[dx100uk]

99% of hp laptops have a hidden partition to reinstall the laptop to factory reset.

if you look at the screen when you first turn on down the botton it will say which Fkey to press , prob F2.

why do you want to reinstall?

there are many utils you can run to cure speed issues etc.

dx

[Niall Fernie]

If your system only comes with a restore disk it is possible to create a bootable installation disk for XP from your current installation:

http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml

It may also be possible for other versions of windows but I've not looked.

At least with a proper installation you can avoid all the other rubbish that comes with a restore disk. And this might help it you have lost your restore disk.

[biker5]

Cheers for replies!
Found it.
had to switch off and on a few times to find the key i needed.
Think it was f7.
I needed to restore it as i am giving it away and needed rid of all rubbish and useless programmes.
I now keep everything important on an external HD so dont need anything on laptop itself really.

[dx100uk]

great glad to help

dx