How do I reboot my computer? And what's involved with that?

Question

I'm considering rebooting my computer; I just got rid of a lot of junk, and I think I can get rid of some more stuff I never use, if I just reboot it. I need to decide this before I install my newly purchased software (Photoshop Elements, a tablet software, Corel Painter, etc.), because it probably has some limit on the number of times you can install it.

Anyway, regardless of my motives, how do I do that? I understand that when I reboot it, the computer goes back to it's original state, what it was like when you bought it. But will it still have the original programs, like Notepad and Windows Movie Maker? Or do I have to install those or something? I don't remember installing those programs originally. Anything else I should know? Thanks.

Answer 1

I'm pretty sure u mean "reformat" and not "reboot" reboot is just restarting ur computer, as in turning it off and then on

to the point...u will only loose all ur non microsoft programs u have installed, so u still get to keep windows media player, notepad, paint, movie maker, etc, if ur gonna reformat then backup all ur personal files, like pictures, videos, music, movies and such because u will lose them, that's about it...its not that hard to do and it will get rid of a lot of junk so I recommend u do it :)..

oh...and u might lose a few drivers, that is,...if ur reformatting it using a windows xp install disk instead of the integrated reformat program that comes with most computers, if ur using some backup thins that came preinstalled with ur computer and odnt need any windows xp cd's then u wont lose ur drivers, if ur using an windows xp cd and doing a clean format then u will lose ur drivers...but no worries, u can always install them after u reformat

Answer 2

It's not rebooting your computer its called Reformatting your computer and this is how you do it.

Put your windows XP cd in your computer and restart your computer. Or you can shut it down and turn it back on. When your computer begins to load a screen will pop us saying boot from cd press any key to continue press that.

If the Boot from cd option does not come up when you have your Windows XP CD in the computer. Go into setup and change your Boot Priority. Make it CD ROM FIRST !! then exit and save and the screen you need will come up.

Windows will load and it will ask you if you want to install. It will ask you to press enter go ahead and do that. You will be brought to a screen that ask's you where you want to install windows. There will be a pre made DISC PARTITION THERE.

Delete the disc partiton and it will say NEW C: RAW press Enter and it will begin to install windows.

Make sure you back up your drivers, if you have a dell you can get them off Dell's website. Most computers need Ethernet networking controller once you have that you can get online again and get your drivers.

Windows xp comes with movie maker and note pad so yes all your programs will be there.