BleepingComputer.com: Start Over

I'm looking to return my laptop to the condition it was in when I received it.
I'm using a Dell Inspiron 1720 running Vista Home Premium.
I bought a 500GB External HDD and backed up most of my large files and anything I'd want to hang on to.
I re-downloaded software that I plan to reinstall and put it on the XHDD.

What do I do from here?

Many mainstream PC manufacturers have system restore discs which will restore the system to it's factory defaults. If that fails, and you have your Windows DVD, you can always format your hard drive and reinstall the OS.

Dell's instructions:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/glo...lang=en&cs=

I was able to restore it successfully but I'm getting the little or no connectivity message when I try to connect to the router. This was not a problem previously, so I don't know why it is now. I'm using a LINKSYS router. Solution?

A lot of times when reformatting you can lose some drivers in the process
If you look in Your Device Manager you might see some devices have a yellow exclamation point. This indicates the problem device
This is the download page for your laptop's drivers
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/...INS_PNT_PM_1720

It turns out I entered the WEP wrong. I had the right numbers, but the wrong order. 5 hours of stupidity on my part. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Another question though. What security programs should I use? I'm currently using McAfee which came with my computer. My school offers a 2 year license on the enterprise edition for free so I was planning on using that.

This post has been edited by Iscariot: 22 October 2008 - 09:25 PM

We all learn this way 'Iscariot' - thanks for telling us your story!

Don't be a stranger here?

//edit: although the McAfee is a bit resource heavy, I'd use it as long as it's free to you.

Check this thread for other free apps? http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic3616.html

This post has been edited by KoanYorel: 22 October 2008 - 09:30 PM

The issues that we see at work with McAfee are similar to the issues seen with Norton. They are (mostly):
- the system will slow way down.
- problems connecting to some sites on the internet
- other hard to define problems.

The cure is fairly easy. Get a fresh copy of McAfee, then locate the license info that will allow you to reinstall it properly. Then uninstall the current McAfee programs from the Control Panel, then run the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool ( http://download.mcafee.com/products/licens...atches/MCPR.exe ). Reboot the computer and reinstall the McAfee products.

More info is available here: http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx...083&lc=1033