how to reset compaq computer?

[dauphija#99]

I am in the mix of reseting my computer and I was telling a friend that I was going to take it to pc medic and get it done. but he mentioned that I could do it my self. He said he know how to do it on an acer and toshiba computers but not one like mine. Does anyone know how to do it? He said you got to push a button while the computer is off and then you got to do something with the settings or something. Any help is greatly thanked.

 

[Grey_04]

Reset your operating system software (Windows XP..)to Compaq factory setting : restarting your computer. Hold down F10 key, your computer will go into recovery software provided windows recovery was preloaded into your hard disk during installation.
Follow on screen instruction.

If it your Bios you want to restore to factory setting, restarting your computer hold F1 key, entering BIOS set up. Look and press the key assigned "Default Loading" save change and exit Bios set up.

 

[dauphija#99]

i am running vista. would this erase my vista and have to get it reinstalled?

 

[Grey_04]

not sure i found that on Google by typing.how to reset compaq computer, hopefully someone else comments or you could surf the web and maybe find something?

 

[dauphija#99]

okay thanks

 

[cody93]

er, not all that familiar with vista, most times when we get vista machines, they are ther cause the customer wants to downgrade to xp. i think your saying reinstall a fresh copy of windows, rite? well, the F-10 key on compaqs is usually whats for getting into the BIOS. to use the vista recoverything, u press F8 before windows starts, should have an option to reinstall or recover or something, back up ur important data tho.

 

[AaronC47]

Compaq

I recently bought a used laptop and it came new with the Vista Home Premium, I didnt have a disc, but as long as you have your COA numbers on your laptop, what ever version yours came with, you just need to find a disc of the same to use. I put an ad on Craigslist saying I just needed a disc and I did not need their COA number, and within a couple hours I recieved a call, and was good to go. So,, If you dont have your Restore preloaded on your drive then if you need to wipe it out and start over, that would be what I would do. But if you can go to HP/Compaq website ahead of time, get all your drivers and save to your desktop,,, DONT run or install them, when you get them all that your machine needs, then burn them to a disc, and when you need them you will have them for a fresh reinstall.

 

[martini]

x2 to what Aaron said. Im on a Compaq laptop right now and let me tell you it is a HUGE PITA to find all the drivers after the reinstall (try finding audio drivers for your compaq online when the machine isnt recognizing your ethernet port). so yeah get all the drivers ahead of time. I also upgraded to Win7 some time ago, much better than vista

 

[cody93]

my laptop is a pentium 2 compaq, lucky for me windows already has drivers. the microsoft windows cd's are always better that the recovery cd's. if you ever get dresperate, u maybe able to find drivers on the recovery cd, altho, u gota know how to install driver .inf files manually.

 

[AllanD]

x2 to what Aaron said. Im on a Compaq laptop right now and let me tell you it is a HUGE PITA to find all the drivers after the reinstall (try finding audio drivers for your compaq online when the machine isnt recognizing your ethernet port). so yeah get all the drivers ahead of time. I also upgraded to Win7 some time ago, much better than vista

Most of what I do on computers fdor other people is to re-install the operating system & drivers

Drivers for Compaq or HP computers are EASY to find.

use another computer and search for "HP Compaq support & Downloads"

And download the LAN driver or WLAN for your appropriate model.
do not run it on that other computer just download it to a thumb drive
A thmb drive, because typically the card reader in a laptop (if so equipped)
usually won't won't work until you install the (typically Texas Instruments or Ricoh)
drivers for it. USB support is usually "native" (in the bios)

Once you have that loaded and can get the computer to open the browser
go to the HP-Compaq site with the computer and "run the list" of drivers.
Starting with a bios (if there is an update available) and the
newest chipset driver, then everything else. (audio, video, network)

I usually don't bother with modem drivers... after all who the hell has dialup anymore?

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[IndianScout]

if he's trying to reset the bios at bootup hit F10 once you enter the BIOS click on default settings, F10 to save and exit..