Resetting a computer's hard drive.

I've had my laptop over a year now, and, possibly because something I installed, it has been owned. Windows Explorer keeps crashing every time I turn it on. So, I've decided to give up. Is there any way I can entirely get rid of everything and start it back like I first got it?

By the way, I have made no Restore Points...
This is really stressful.

AJ190 wrote:

I've had my laptop over a year now, and, possibly because something I installed, it has been owned. Windows Explorer keeps crashing every time I turn it on. So, I've decided to give up. Is there any way I can entirely get rid of everything and start it back like I first got it?

By the way, I have made no Restore Points...
This is really stressful.

Ugh... It's a bit too late now, but the first thing you should have done when you got your laptop is to create System Restore's CDs...

However, before trying to see what you can do to reinstall Windows, we should try to figure out what's causing this... There has to be a better solution than reinstalling the OS...

Else, you have 2 solutions... Either download Windows illegally on the intraw3bz... Or install Ubuntu/Kubuntu as your new OS! I really suggest you try them out (you can make an image CD and try Ubuntu without installing it... It'll just load slower, but that's because it loads from the CD, the boot time is actually faster than Windows'), they work great, are easy to use and install, and they're all free (And under the GNU liscence, which means you can edit everything, and that the files are "yours". )

Even the 'webz aren't working easily.
If I find a disc for Vista/XP, could I use it?
I'd like to try to keep things legal...

EDIT:
I once talked to a guy into computer science, and he couldn't find the source of the problem. He told me to try to find the disc that originally installed Vista (I know, makes it even worse DX) and reinstall it with that. Unfortunately, I think the OS was already installed when I got it. Maybe I can find an XP one since my dad has XP?

AJ190 wrote:

Even the 'webz aren't working easily.
If I find a disc for Vista/XP, could I use it?
I'd like to try to keep things legal...

If you are using Vista, I would read this: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=622

If you find a disc, then you should be able to use it (I am sure for XP, just not sure with Vista)

Lol, read the edit..
I'll try to find an XP disc. I hope I do really bad..
Thanks for the help, by the way.

AJ190 wrote:

Lol, read the edit..
I'll try to find an XP disc. I hope I do really bad..
Thanks for the help, by the way.

Well, from what I understand (from what you wrote here ), it just seem like you accidentally deleted or modified (or a malicious software did ) one of Window Explorer's core files... If you could find which one, I am pretty sure it wouldn't be hard to replace it.

Yeah, the XP disc is your best option... No, Ubuntu is, but w.e.

Lol, I'll try to find my dad's, if there is one.

AJ190 wrote:

Lol, I'll try to find my dad's, if there is one.

I shall wish you good luck then, NC boy.

So, how is the mission going, NC boy?