Desktop Computer Packages

How do I do a destructive restore to my Compaq Desktop computer?

I made the restore cd collection when I first unpacked the computer. I need to do a destructive restore to get rid of a virus, and I guess my question is, can I still use the restore cd's to rebuild my computer to its original condition after a destructive re-write. My hard-drive is partitianed with c: and d:. Do I need to do the destructive restore on both partitians. Now, how do I do a destructive restore?

Public Comments

1. Restoring the computer to factory settings does just that. You will get what you have had when you bought it. Partitions, OS, Programs etc. Put the CD #1 in the drive and restart the computer. Press F11 after the motherboard splash appears. You will be presented an option to restore the computer to factory settings. Follow on screen directions.
2. There is a significant probability you can kill the virus with two easy steps...first, roll-back the computer to before you caught the virus. Next, install (or re-install) a (your) AV Suite. This will elimitate most viruses, since it overrides the HDD with a previous image. As for a "destructive" restore...that sounds suspiciously like "re-install the OS," or "reformat the drive." However. the drawback is that there is a very good probability that the virus has stored itself on more than one partition...so you may have no chouce but to format both partitions. If you're running Vista, make sure you have the Security suite set-up, that way the next time one of these viruses tries to install itself, you'll have a window pop-up asking if it can do so. Good Luck! EDIT: to reformat the OS drive...you need an actual OS disk. A "Restore" or "Recovery" disk won't cut it, since you're essentially wiping and re-installing the OS. As to how to reformat the non-OS drive...you should have that functionality on your right click menu on the drive in question, if you don't, you can find assistance with the "Help" menu.