How to Restore a Computer From the Setup Menu

Restore your computer from the Setup menu.

There is a procedure for restoring the computer from the Setup menu. Restoring the computer wipes out your data, so it's critical that you backup all files before the restoration. Note that any virus that has been stored with your files will move with the backup data, so if you access an infected file after the restoration, you may encounter the same virus problem.

Instructions

1. Insert the "Microsoft Windows XP Home SP1 Operating System" compact disc into the disc drive on your computer.

2. Start the computer and press "F1" to enter the Setup menu. Select "Boot" with the cursor arrows at the next screen. Press "Enter" at the "Boot-time Diagnostic Screen." Select "Enabled" from the "Boot-time Diagnostic Screen," and press "Enter." Select "Exit" with the cursor arrows, select "Exit Saving Changes," press "Enter," select "Y," and press "Enter."

3. Press any key when you see the message, "Press any Key to Boot from CD," which appears after the computer re-starts. Wait for the Setup program to load files.

4. Press "Enter" to setup Windows XP when you reach the screen that reads, "Windows XP Home Edition Setup." Hit "F8" to agree to the "Windows XP Licensing Agreement."

5. Press "Esc" when you see the text, "To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing, press ESC." Move the cursor and highlight "C:" when you see the text, "Use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to select an item in the list." Press "Enter." Press "C" when you reach the text, "To continue Setup using this partition, press C."

6. Choose "Leave the current file system intact (no changes)" at the next screen. Choose "Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick)" next time if you you encounter the same problems after the restoration, and it's necessary to restore the operating system again.

7. Press "L" at the next window and delete the existing Windows installation. Wait 10 minutes. Click "Next" when you see that window that reads, "Regional and Language Options." Enter your name and organization at the next window, and click "Next." Enter the computer's name (or accept the default) at the next window, and click "Next." Click "Next" at the "Date and Time Settings" screen, which immediately follows.

8. Click "Next" at the screen that reads, "Network Settings." Choose "Start Windows XP Home Edition" at the next prompt. Press "OK" twice when the system re-boots.

9. Click "Next" when you reach the message, "Welcome to Microsoft Windows." Inform the program of which system you'll use, DSL or LAN, at the screen that reads, "How will this computer connect to the Internet?" Fill in the requested information at the screen that reads, "Setting up a high speed connection," or click "Skip" if you lack the necessary information. Select "No" and click "Next" at the text, "Ready to register with Microsoft?" Enter your name and click "Next" in response to the next question. Click "Finish."