XP/System Restore

I am trying to restore my computer to original factory settings but am unable to. I do have factory discs. When I reboot, I press F12 to boot from cd drive. It should prompt me to restore from disc but instead goes directly to windows startup screen. Any help appreciated.

OS:XP
Dell Dimension 4600

 

Go to your BIOS screen and set your CD-ROM as first boot device.

 

You should be able to put in the install disk from windows . If Autorun is not enabled , just go to my computer, open it and double click on you cd drive which will start the windows cd welcome screen . From there ---you can reinstall windows .

 

I actually have the dell xp disc. i can start it but it tells me that the version currently on the computer i snewer than on the version on the disc and will not let me proceed...

 

So ----1 of 2 things ---do you have xp recovery console installed ??? If not ---are you prepaired to format your drive and start from scratch ?

 

I have xp recovery console installed ...I had some spyware etc and was told to install.....Since then I bought new computer and want to clear this one to use for music production only.

 

Check This

Just hit F2 or whatever button you need to to get into Bios setup, and make sure that your CD rom IS enabled as a accepted startup drive , and yes set it so the computer looks for it first . Hit F10 , and get out . System will try to restart, either select your recovery console or just boot up from the windows CD

 

recovery console goes to:
Which windows installation would u like to log onto?
I put in 1
It goes to c:\windows> and waits for command

 

Correct

Yes ----so ----before you get there ---you have the choice ----let it boot from the CD ---or RC-----your call ----if your wanting a clean install, just let it boot from the cd and start the install. It would make your life a bit easier if ya had a flash drive already loaded with the updates like sp2 and a few extra security updates so ya don't have to go online and dirty your install with no anti virus yet , but that also is your call ----lemme know what happens

 

The only 2 options that I getare recovery and starting windows as normal....It boots right up t th ewindows splash screen if I do not quickly change the option to recovery

 

Cd rom

Is you cd rom set in your bios???? to boot from it ?????? And second ---just for kicks ---in windows does you cd rom recognise Autoplay ---if not ---set it .

 

how do i set autoplay

 

khgtdhjytf

So the answer to the first Q: ---is ---yes ---your CDROM is set up in the bios to be booted from and is in the first postion before your hard drive -----And go to my computer and right click on the D drive ---then select properties. that will pull up another window . There you will see a few tabs . click on the auto play tab , then from the drop down menu, selct mixed content,( make sure the radio button next to selct actionis popped . then close out .

 

cd drive is in first position...i fixed autoplay settings for both d/drive and e/cd rom

 

Ms ap rw

If that doesn't work , go here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...B6-E8FA-45C4-A171-1B389CFACDAD&displaylang=en This is the download page from MS to get the autoplay repair tool

 

i had problem w/both drives that fixed.....still wouldnt boot from cd drive....went into bios and unchecked floppy....cd drive tried to boot then went right to start up screen...it said to press any btton to boot from cd butit started to windows before i could

 

got to windows setup blue screen....may be working...ill keep you posted