PROCEDURE FOR REBUILDING AND SETTING UP A COMPUTER INTO A NETWORK

June 8th, 2011

PROCEDURE FOR REBUILDING AND SETTING UP A COMPUTER INTO A NETWORK

1.First, have the username and password of PC for the user (and administrator if user is not admin)
2.Write down IP configurations
-Go to Network Connections in the Control Panel. Right click the the connection being used and click Properties. Click on TCP/IPv4 and hit Properties. Write down the IP address, Subnet Mask, Defailt Gateway, Preferred DNS, and Secondary DNS.
-If there is nothing listed, go to the Command Prompt and run IPCONFIG and PING ‘SERVER NAME’. The information you need should be listed there
3.Take list of all programs on PC
4.If this is for a customer, ask is there is any additional software media they have discs for. Also ask if customer uses QuickBooks or Peachtree
5.Backup My Documents, Desktop, Favorites, QuickBooks/Peachtree, Outlook and any other “quirky” folders – check to see if server has enough space for files. If not, use flash drive or some other source of file storage
6.If Outlook Express, Backup Outlook Express folder and Address Book
-C:\DocsandSettings\username\localsettings\applications\???\outlookexpress
-C:\DocsandSettings\username\applicationdata\addressbook
7.Note: Outlook Express doesn’t transfer to Windows 7
8.If Outlook is POP, write down all necessary configurations
9.List all mapped network drives
10.Write down domain/workgroup name
11.Write down IP configuration
12.Write down all printers installed on PC
13.Start up PC
14.Disable Firewall
15.Uninstall anti-virus that came with pc(Norton/McAfee/AVG…)

16.If on domain:
-Put IP of server on first DNS setting and 4.2.2.2 for second one
-Adjust TCP/IP to match what was there before
-log on under admin
-Adjust Time/Date/Timezone
-Put local domain user(s) in Administrators group
-Log back into user account to continue

17.If not on domain:
-Log on under admin
-Adjust TCP/IP to match what was there before
-Put user in Administrators group
-Log back into user account to continue

18.Restore User Profile (copy Desktop, My Documents, and Favorites back to profile)
19.Map all network drives
20.Install printers
21.Install Office, if bought and uninstall other versions of Office
22.Configure Outlook
23.Install user specific software (financial, encryption, backup, work programs, etc.)…check server client apps for software
24.Install Avast, Malware Bytes, CCleaner, Adobe Reader and Flash
25.Import Outlook .pst, if available

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How to Restore Dell XP PC With A Factory Restore

April 18th, 2011

Restore the computer’s software to original condition.

Using Dell Factory Image Restore in Windows 7

  Notice:  
  Restoring the original factory image erases ALL existing data. This includes files, folders, programs, drivers, E-mails, photos. Before performing a PC Restore, back up all personal files. If you do not back up your personal files, the data will be lost.  

1    Turn on the computer.

2   As the computer starts, press <F8> on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen.

  Note:  
  You must press <F8> before the Windows logo appears on the screen. If you press <F8> after the Windows logo appears on the screen, the Advanced Boot Options menu will not appear on the screen. If you do not see the Advanced Boot Options menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until you see the menu on the screen.  

 

3    Press the <Down Arrow> on the keyboard to select Repair Your Computer on the Advanced Boot Options menu, and then press <Enter>.

4    Specify the language settings that you want, and then click Next.

5    Log in as a user who has administrative credentials, and then click OK.

6    Click Dell Factory Image Restore.

7    In the Dell Factory Image Restore window, click Next.

8    Click to select the Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition check box.

9    Click Next. 
The computer is restored to the default factory configuration.

10    When the restore operation is completed, click Finish to restart the computer.
The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.

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Posted in Desktops, Notebooks, Windows 7 | 141 Comments »

How to Restore Dell XP PC With A Factory Restore

April 18th, 2011

Restore the computer’s software to original condition.

Using PC Restore in Windows XP or Media Center

  Notice:  
  Restoring the original factory image erases ALL existing data. This includes files, folders, programs, drivers, E-mails, photos. Before performing a PC Restore, back up all personal files. If you do not back up your personal files, the data will be lost.  

1   Turn on the computer.

2   When the Dell splash screen appears during the computer startup process, press and hold <Ctrl> and then press <F11>. Then, release both keys at the same time.

 Note:
Some systems like Inspiron Mini 9 (910) do not support System Restore as they do not have <F11> nor any substitute.
If the key strokes are not working or you do not have PC Restore any more. You will have to do a manual reinstall.
3   In the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window, click Restore. Alternatively, press <Tab> to highlight Restore, and then press <Enter>.

4   When a warning message appears stating that all data will be lost, click Confirm, or press <Tab> to highlight Confirm and then press <Enter>.

The Progress window will appear. Once the restore process starts, Dell PC Restore by Symantec usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to finish.

When the restore process is complete, the following message will appear:
The system recovery process was successful.

5   Click Finish or press <Tab> to highlight Finish and then press <Enter> to restart the computer.The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.

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Posted in Desktops, Notebooks, XP | 172 Comments »