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Reformatting Vista Laptop

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taichiperson | 10:34 Sat 05th Nov 2016 | Technology
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As above - my other half has my old laptop but it's become increasingly slow and glitchy. I would like to reformat it and reinstall Windows - and presumably will have lots of drivers to update too. I'm not a complete techno novice, so can anyone tell me please if its reasonably simple to do?
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What make and model is it?
Many pcs and laptops have a 'restore to factory default' setting which makes it easy to do.
Question Author
It's the dreaded Dell - it always was a bit flakey, with the blue screen of death featuring frequently. Inspiron 1525. Would a factory reset cleaqn the hard drive of photos, documents and programmes? Hubby only wants to use it to surf the net, store and process photos.
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I also meant to say, would that retain the Windows OS?
Yes, it would. The laptop would be exactly the same as when it was bought, so there will be a LOT of Windows updates and other updates but this should all happen automatically so it's just a matter of sitting back and letting it get on with it.

You will be amazed at the difference.
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Thanks both, that's very helpful. I presume I'll also have to update a ton of drivers too. I'm still in two minds as to whether to do it myself or take it to the local Cyber Cafe. I don't think it came with discs - or maybe I've just misplaced them. I can't find any option to make restore discs.
Do it yourself. The drivers will automatically update, too. I do it every couple of years with all my machines.
By the way, you don't need disks.
Question Author
Progressing nicely - though Explorer is still a bit flaky - when I try to update it, it goes to 'IE cannot display the page'. Perhaps that will change once I've got the Windows update done - 77 updates to be applied.
:)

Do you mean Internet Explorer? If so, use a different browser, there are plenty of better ones to try
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I've managed to install Firefox. Hubby always preferred Explorer...
Hope all is well, now. He'll soon get the hang of Firefox, if it hates it he can try Opera, which I use, Chrome, Maxathon.....

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