Restore Gateway laptop with no recovery discs (HELP)

[Pittsburgher]

  Hello all, after searching Gateway's web site and forums for help I turn to you fine folks here for help. Because my laptop is 1 month past warranty they won't provide any support.      So here goes,  My lap top is model #  ML 6720 running Vista Home Premium, it runs fine but I would like to restore it back to the factory settings when I first got it.  I tried system restore but it will only go back 2 months.  I do not have a Vista disc that should have come with the machine. I expected there to be a way to restore from an image saved on the hard drive somewhere.  Does anyone have any idea how I can restore this thing?  I have never done a complete restore from a disc and it kinda scares me to try. I am hoping theres a fool proof way of doing it off the hard drive.   As always I thank you in advance for any assistance and guidance.   

[Mitz]

I know you do not have a Vista disc but did you get any discs with it at all? Maybe a recovery disc like dell would provide. If you do not have any discs whatsoever then there must be a restore partition on your hard drive. When you tried to restore did you use system restore or backup status and configuration? Both located in system tools.

[Pittsburgher]

Hi Mitz,
   Such quick response, thank you.  I did use system restore my first attempt to restore. It only goes back 2 months though. I never used the other one you mentioned. I will look into that now. Is that my hard drive partition with restore?   Jeff

[Mitz]

The other way is a way of restoring your complete files to your computer. I don't suggest to use it in this case because you want to get rid of all the files... But if you do try it ..it will not harm your computer.

I have looked around, and on the net some people mention that you can press F11 when you are booting the computer to see a menu of options. One of those option could have something to do with restoring your computer to the original settings. You could try this. Just press F11 and tell me what you see. Then boot into the computer normally for now, until we know what choices you have.

I also found this page. There is some information about Gateway recovery. http://support.gateway.com/s/SOFTWARE/Medialess/FAQ/SUPPAGE01su44.shtml

This page mentions a link in the start menu under programs that you press on to make your own restoration discs. If the link is not in your menu then you can download a patch from this site to make it show. This is not a bad system, making your own restoration disc's, however the company that sold you the laptop should make it a priority to inform you that you need these discs. If your computer crashes before you make these restoration discs then you are stuffed.


Can I ask why you want to restore to factory settings? If the computer is running fine then there are ways to remove unwanted files, registrations, or what ever... You can PM me if you like.

[Pittsburgher]

Hey Mitz,
  As it turns out I found all the paperwork that came with the lap top. In the book I found that pressing f8 while booting will bring me to an option of restoring. Which I am doing right now. Taking forever. I'm doing a complete restore, back to the factory settings. Small issues with the machine that made me do it. Like the pointer is acting up, goes all over the place. Also can not for the life of me un install AVG free anti virus software.  I really am not losing anything important. Had everything backed up. It's used mainly for surfing the net from the back deck and yard.  Plus I like to do this every so often as it cleans out all the little bits of crap that may pose problems someday.   So THANK YOU for your quick response.   It seems all will be good.   

[Mitz]

I still think you should make those recovery discs because if the computer crashes and you cannot boot into that menu, the discs may help...

[Pittsburgher]

OH Yeah. Absolutely will make recovery discs.  Thanks Mitz.

[Pittsburgher]

OK Mitz, Gotta another question for you.  Now that my Gateway is all new again, I remember all the crapware programs that it came with. Like Napster, AOL, you know what I'm talking about. Now when I go to ms config and adjust the start menu what HAS to be left running at start up?  Like MacAfee?    Thanks Mitz, Jeff

[Mitz]

Do not disable anything to do with your anti virus, your printer, or any program you use often.
You can disable anything associated with a program that you do not use much. There are also various programs that search for updates every time you start your computer. Nero does this..It usually has about 4 things in startup. Also some programs come with devices. I have a dell laptop with a webcam but in the start up it has dell webcam central. If I disable this I can still use the webcam in other programs.

If you disable anything that is needed you know where to go and fix it. Just put the tick back in the box.