Paul you are under a misconception. Returning your pc to factory settings
using the recovery disks supplied when you purchased your pc will install
everything from scratch. The only things missing will be any applications
you installed yourself after you purchased the pc.
Now once that has been done you will have a clean system. What you are
effectively suggesting is that you want to 'image' your current system, then
return your system back to factory settings, and then reinstall the image
you took earlier of your system. Doing what you are 'hoping' to do will
bring you back to square one. In other words you will simply be putting back
on your pc (from the image you have taken) all the junk that you already
have - thus defeating the object.
All you need to do is save to a cd any important files or documents.
Hopefully, if you installed any software after you purchased the pc you
already have the cds for those. Then insert the recovery cd supplied with
your pc and reboot your computer. Once your pc has been restored to factory
conditions then reinstall any software that didn't come with the pc and you
should be as good as new.
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
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