so is it not too difficult to re-install windows?

[piggynose]

What should i download from the net to do it? and how many dvds will i need?

thanx in advance

pn

[ChuckFickens]

It's easy to reinstall windows, you just need your original windows disk, or if your computer has a recovery partition you need to know how to start the recovery process off.

Afterwards all you need to do is download all the latest drivers and updates for windows. (and reinstall all your software from the original disks)

[venator]

And for Heaven's sake back up anything you can't risk losing.

There's an option to repair your Windows, which is safer and easier.

A full reinstallation should keep your data, but it can go tail up!

[ChuckFickens]

"A full reinstallation should keep your data, but it can go tail up!"

No it won't. A full reinstall will format the drive!

[piggynose]

cf & venator, i´ve lost my original window discs.
so whats the option to repair my windows, is it easy?

[ChuckFickens]

If you're going to do it then I'd advice a full reinstall, not a repair, especially if your computer is more than a couple of years old.

What is the make and model of computer?

[piggynose]

hi cf, its a Acer emachines G520,windows vista basic.
Its 18 months old

[VHG]

I suppose before answering too many more questions we ought to know WHY you think you need to reinstall Windows.

It is quite a big undertaking if you have never done it before so you need a good reason to do it.

Is it a desktop PC or laptop, which company made it (Dell, HP etc) and does it have any sort of recovery option (the documentation should tell you).

Also what version of Windows is it ?

p.s. I reinstall Windows now and again on my home PCs and it can take a full day (if not more) to do a full reinstall from scratch, to install drivers, then install Windows updates (this can take hours), then reinstall flash, shockwave, adobe reader, anti virus etc, then reinstall all your programs, and so on.

Not something to be taken lightly.

[VHG]

I see you answered some of my question as I was typing my reply.

My guess it should have some sort of Windows recovery option, check the documentaiton.

[VHG]

Here is the Generic User Guide for Emachine G laptops (this is the G630 I cant find one for the G520 but as it is generic it should not matter).

Have a look in there and it will tell you how to make your recovery DVDs

http://support.gatewa...px?tab=2&modelId=1886

[VHG]

On the link I posted above select the "User Guides" tab

[piggynose]

vhg and others, i had a persistent virus i couldnt get rid of, so took my pc to a computer shop, they cleaned all the files, since then i cant compose anything without the words going out of syntax!!
the browser is all over the place!!
of course when i took it back to the shop, it works perfectly well!!

[venator]

Acer might be able to replace your Windows disks - they buy block licences, and should be able to run off another copy of your licenced software.

[ChuckFickens]

So you keep brushing your hands on the touch pad when typing then.

[jackthehat]

Sounds like a 'picnic' problem to me, chuck............

[ChuckFickens]

:) jack

installing the correct drivers for the touch[ad will enable you to swith on palm detection which will reduce the problem of the cursor going all over the place.

http://support.gatewa...px?tab=1&modelId=1886

The above link is for another model, but it has both the synaptics and alps drivers, try installing them both, the incorrect one shouldn't install and will give an error.

[deggers316]

if you've lost your original disc,looks like you ll have to buy a new one unless you have an installation on a hard drive.
you cant download one from the net
also if your comp was playing up after it came back from the repairers why didn't you take it back for them to sort out ???

[VHG]

>>>if you've lost your original disc,looks like you ll have to buy a new one

Not true. There is a program on the laptop to make your own recovery disks on to DVDs.

Nearly all laptops have them nowadays.

Acer or emachines may well supply a recorver disk as well (for a small fee)

[piggynose]

cf, how long should it take to download these drivers?
i´ve waited 15 mins or so for both, and nothing happened, eg no download progress after opening/starting the downloads.

[Old_Geezer]

I used to have a PC with a hidden recovery partition. When needed it turned out to have corrupted. Horrible idea.

15 mins ?!? Since nothing has happened I think you are better stopping it and trying again.

[piggynose]

i eventually downloaded both drivers, but neither seem to be compatible!!
whats next?