how do i reset a computer?

[Storm]

ive built a comp for my aunt, and installed all the software and stuff she needs...... now i just know her 2 sons will be installing games and all other kinds of crap on it, and i dont feel like going to the other side of the country every month to fix it (even though holland is a small country :P ), so i was wondering:

is there a way/program that will allow her to reset the comp to the state i installed everything to with just one (or a couple) mouseclick?

i mean: keep documents and stuff, but reset all registry entries, uninstall useless crap ect

[{I}{K}{E}]

make a system restore point

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/systemrestore.mspx

[Spam-King]

roxio goback 3

or you can built a timemachine..lol

[tesco]

Norotn Ghost 2003 backup the drive once it's working good to a cd or somewhere on the computer then she can just restore teh drive whenever they screw it up.

[Keikan]

deep freeze

my school uses that

[Storm]

well system restore would be a good idea.... cept that xp does have the tendency to delete restore points when you dont want it to (disk cleanup)

and the program has to be idot proof....

my aunt knows less about comps than the average gerbal :(

so how are these programs mentioned? (ease of use and such)

doesnt deep freeze TOTALLY reset the comp? i mean documents to?

[uNz[i]]

deep freeze

my school uses that
Mine too. Only problem with deep freeze is when you reboot the comp, new progs you just installed are *gone*.

Sure - it's great for stopping virii and n00bs from killing a comp, but it's a pain in the butt for everyone else. :lol:

[Spam-King]

Easily undo PC problems

Symantec’s Norton GoBack™ 4.0 allows you to easily undo PC problems. Restore your PC to a healthy state by going back minutes, hours, or even days (depending on available disk space). Also use Norton GoBack to restore files that have been deleted or modified, and to try new software safely.

[Storm]

Easily undo PC problems

Symantec’s Norton GoBack™ 4.0 allows you to easily undo PC problems. Restore your PC to a healthy state by going back minutes, hours, or even days (depending on available disk space). Also use Norton GoBack to restore files that have been deleted or modified, and to try new software safely.

that sounds like a lil to much, i just need to go back to a specific state.........


ive been lookin into deep freeze, but i think it reset everything EVERY reboot (which isnt what i want)..... i want it to reset only when she runs the program

[Spam-King]

if thats the case than just use system restore IMO

[Storm]

yeah, but those points get deleted (disk cleanup and such)

[tesco]

that sounds like a lil to much, i just need to go back to a specific state.........


ive been lookin into deep freeze, but i think it reset everything EVERY reboot (which isnt what i want)..... i want it to reset only when she runs the program
Norton Ghost 2003 then.

[vivitron 15]

if its XP, then set them up as a limited account, and then use xtech and xp lite (sp?) to lock down all the features you can...

this will make it damn near impossible for them to install everything, unless they know what they're doin

[Izagaia]

if its XP, then set them up as a limited account, and then use xtech and xp lite (sp?) to lock down all the features you can...

this will make it damn near impossible for them to install everything, unless they know what they're doin

I agree.

Password protect your aunt's main and the administrator accounts and then either create one or more "limited" users accounts or enable the "Guest" account for the sons to play around with.

You can use the system's policy management console to specify any other restrictions you feel it may be necessary to implement. Applications such as "TweakXP Pro", "TuneUp Utilities", "The Lock XP" and "XP Manager" are great for accessing these options without turning it into a major endeavor. They are shareware, however, there are plenty of patches and keygens to get around this.

[Storm]

yeah, well the thing is, i really dont wanna lock up her whole comp, and its not a problem if her sons install games (will give them something to do when they visit her), just that if the thing gets fucked up, she can reset it without me coming over.....