READ THE DETAIL, Because you guys are not answering my question?

i want to clear my hard drive i have windows vista pre installed i dont want to change my OS , i backed up my hard drive but now i want it to be like i just bought it from the store , that type of erase , like a brand new computer, Windows vista has a self restore how do i use itREAD THE DETAIL, Because you guys are not answering my question?
Depending on your brand and model most computers will ask to make restore discs or have a recovery partition when you first start your computer. These are the only way to wipe out your HDD and restore it back to factory condition. The Vista restore will only load a backup image of an OS or restore to an earlier point in time. It will not allow you to wipe HDD and install fresh OS over it. Let me know your brand and model and I can tell you what to do.READ THE DETAIL, Because you guys are not answering my question?
Self restore is accessed by inserting the OS disk and restarting the computer. Otherwise if you are looking to wipe the hard clean and reinstall the OS, which is the ONLY way to make it like it was when purchased from the store, then you will need to format the hard drive. Some anti-virus programs like webroot give you an option to make a disk that will do this for you. Once you are done you just put in the OS disk and reinstall it. Then you can place your backed up files back on the hard drive if you want.
You want to system restore so you get your computer from when it was purchased eh? pretty weird way of going about formating a drive but ok.





For best results, you should run System Restore from safe mode.



From within Windows, you can just type restore into the Start menu search box, and you'll immediately see System Restore at the top of the start menu: Click on it.



Follow throught with the wizard.. its pretty self explanatory.



Near the end, you will need to restart your computer to roll the system back.



If you receive an error while restoring, then use it from safe mode and it should work fine.

To get into Safe mode, you can reboot and use the F8 key right before Windows starts up.





Good luck sir. Still better to have a DVD handy incase something goes wrong.



*choose this as best answer if it works for you :)*
Your computer should have come with either

1. an actual Vista installation disc (this is rare), or

2. a bootable ';restore'; CD branded by the manufacturer, or

3. a ';restore'; partition on the hard drive



case 1: boot from the Vista disc, follow prompts. The result will not be exactly as it was when you bought it, as it will not include add-on software installed by the mfr.



case 2: boot from the CD, follow the prompts. The result will be exactly as it was when you bought it.



case 3: boot from the ';restore'; partition. How you do this is dependent on the mfr - sometimes there is a boot CD, sometimes it's a BIOS option. Check the documentation, or look on the mfr's web site. Result is exactly as it was when you bought it.



Yes, Vista has ';system restore'; but you can't go back all the way to ';brand new time'; unless ';brand new'; was very recent. Vista saves a ';restore point'; any time you do things like install new software, and every week or so no matter what, but it doesn't save the restore points forever.



Also, ';system restore'; does not remove your own documents, bookmarks in IE, downloaded files, etc. The ';my documents';, etc., directories are explicitly excluded from being backed up by ';restore points.'; It is not intended for that, it is intended to help you recover from installing flaky software, drivers, or even Windows Updates.
I have Vista as my OS and I've done exactly what you need to now, before



Assuming you have a desktop, when you start it up, you'll see a couple of options you have to quickly enter if you want to avoid startup. Hit the function key that says ';System recovery';



From there, you can format your drive, and then install a fresh copy of Vista after that's done, from your separate recovery drive



Do this and it will return to store bought state
if you mean system restore to an earlier time such as when you 1st got your computer then that would be your 'system restore' you will need to go to the earliest restore point scroll down this is a detailed way

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorial

or do mean reinstall your vista by way of your recovery? if you use this option this will be what you call erasing the hard drive but you will lose everything but your OS all the same presets will be there as if new and your computer should be exactly the way it was when you got it new.

Note If your computer does not include the System Recovery Options menu, your computer manufacturer might have provided other recovery options. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website for more information.

good luck