destructive restore

[digitalduo]

Hi, I have an Advent QT5500 laptop, it was running vista but tried to install xp but it wouldn't work, could anyone tell me how to restore it to manufacturers settings please. I have no disk.
Thanks.

[AdillaTheBum]

Restore

1. Turn on the computer and keep tapping F8 until the advanced options menu is displayed
2. Use the up/down arrow keys on the keyboard to highlight Repair Your Computer and press enter to select it
3. Select the language you wish to install (normally English is the only option)
4. Once you have chosen your language you will be presented with the available recovery options
   • Microsoft Repair Environment - after choosing the UK keyboard layout you will be asked to choose the Operating System you wish to repair. If Windows Vista is not listed then you cannot repair the OS without doing the full recovery. After choosing Vista the Microsoft Vista startup repair tool will run and attempt to repair any startup problems you are experiencing
   • Reinstall Windows - gives you the options available to reinstall Vista
   • Advanced Options - this launches the diagnostic centre allowing you to run chkdsk, launch notepad or bring up a command prompt
   • Exit & restart computer - Exits withut running the recovery process
5. To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Reinstall Windows
6. On the next screen you have the ability to launch Vista System Restore and roll back to a date when Vista was last working ok or to run the Full Destructive Recovery. To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Start Full Destructive Recovery
7. After choosing the Full Destructive Recovery option you are presented with the warning screen that all data will be lost. It is important to make sure all data has been backed up to disk if possible and to realise this process deletes all data and reverts the machine back to it's default state. To continue with the recovery program you need to tick the box indicating you are aware of data loss
8. The recovery process will then run through, the computer will restart a couple of times during this. You will also need to go through the Vista "Out of Box Experience", to configure Vista. This is fairly straightforward so just follow the onscreen instructions

From these guys:

UKT Support - Advent QT5500 Laptop

[firemouth]

Hi, I have an Advent QT5500 laptop, it was running vista but tried to install xp but it wouldn't work, could anyone tell me how to restore it to manufacturers settings please. I have no disk.
Thanks.

if you want to put XP on a Vista machine. boot in linux and do an fdisk with the MBR option. or use a windows 98 boot floppy, if you have a drive, and use DOS fdisk with the MBR option. both will leave the hdd free to accept any MS OS. remember to back up your "restore" partition, so you can go back to Vista if you wish.