Cleaning Windows XP Laptop NOOB Alert!

FoxxyAxel · 31 Mar 2011 at 11:37

Hi Everyone posted in laptop thread but no joy......

Appologies for the noob question just got a new laptop for gaming so planning on selling my Compaq 311c - 1101 SA, was after help on how to basically wipe all my history off of it, would I have to give it a clean install currently running on the Win Xp it came with, is there a feature within that to restore to factory settings ?

Note... Id rather just clean it as opposed a fresh format install.

Thanks in advance

[Olly] · 31 Mar 2011 at 11:43

When you bought the Compaq did you get a system restore disc with it?

If you did then that should do what your after.

Simian · 31 Mar 2011 at 13:15

Get an OEM copy of XP (from a friend or 'other' means) and use the Number on the Sticker on the bottom of the Laptop!..

Worked a dream on my Compaq Pressario 105ea... just remember to go to Compaq/HP's driver page and get ALL the drivers otherwise most of the Hardware won't work!!..

Cool Breeze · 31 Mar 2011 at 13:51

In a word no there is no easy way, best flatten it with new OS build only way to be sure, you could sell it with Ubuntu on it or something does'nt have to be windows. Ubuntu is free and you can burn the Iso yourself.

andy_mk3 · 31 Mar 2011 at 13:56

The majority of laptops have a recovery partition to restore it from, most people don't bother burning that to disc so it's likely to still be there if it has it. Usually gives an option like press F10 when you first switch it on.