Member Avatar for FireSBurnsmuP

Okay, here's the scoop. I have a Compaq Presario R3000. I have a virus that infected my UPnP drivers, so I can't regularly use UPnP. Everytime i do, there's a decent chance of getting the blue-screen of death and I don't appreciate that.

So. I need to restore the factory settings, but I'm afraid I really don't know how. I have all the Cds that came with the computer, so that's not a problem. I plan on putting x64 on it, and if necessary I'll put regular pro on. I just need to know how to wipe the hard drive.

Any help is appreciated!

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Quick, practical prep before wiping a Presario R3000 (fills gaps in the thread): back up everything (best: a full disk image), note the Windows COA/product key (usually on the laptop bottom or under the battery), and—before you overwrite the drive—check for the vendor recovery partition and create vendor recovery media (Recovery Manager can burn the factory image to DVD or a USB stick). Creating recovery media or an image preserves the factory state if something goes wrong. . Where to find the COA/product key.

If the driver/application CD won’t autorun (as reported), that’s often because AutoRun/AutoPlay is disabled by policy, registry changes, or malware. You can still install manually: open the CD in Explorer and run any setup.exe, or use Device Manager’s “Have Disk…” option and point to the driver folder on the disc. If the disc only contains .inf files, copy them to a USB (from another PC) and install via Device Manager. See Microsoft’s AutoRun/AutoPlay info and Intel’s “have disk” installation guidance for XP-era systems. AutoPlay/AutoRun details. Have-Disk install steps (example).

If you intend to install a different Windows edition or 64‑bit XP, confirm driver availability first: 64‑bit Windows requires 64‑bit drivers and older laptop components often lack them, which can leave networking or audio dead after install. Check HP’s R3000 driver page for the exact model before committing. Also make sure the Windows edition you plan to install matches the COA (Home vs Pro) to avoid activation problems. x64 driver requirement (Microsoft). .

Post‑install notes: install the chipset/system drivers first, then network so you can pull updates; next install video/audio and other OEM drivers. Finally, install the appropriate service pack and all updates—but remember Windows XP is end‑of‑life and insecure online; prefer a supported OS where possible. Chipset/driver-order guidance. Windows XP end-of-support warning.

(Short, focused advice to complement ’s and others’ replies: create recovery media and an image first, verify driver availability for your chosen OS/architecture, and use manual Device Manager install if the driver CD won’t autorun.)

Member Avatar for Mix

I own a Pressy r3000 so we're brothers. Wanna wipe the drive? Put in the restore cd and just run it. All it is is an OEM version of the Windows Xp installation.

Member Avatar for FireSBurnsmuP

Will I have to install SP2 seperately? Or does it install automatically with the restore on an R3k?

Member Avatar for Mix

Yea update service pack 2, and download the latest updates. I recommend you do Microsoft update because it covers a wider scope than Windows update. You will want to choose the custom option, and run Microsoft update repeatedly until you install all of the updates you want. Tip, it never finds all of the updates in one go.

Member Avatar for FireSBurnsmuP

Okay, but what about if I were to just wipe the hd, then put a different windows version on? Would the process be that much different? Because I was going to replace home sp2 with pro, and possibly put on x64 as well (or instead). What would I have to do differently?

Member Avatar for Mix

You'd still want to run Microsoft update all the way through even after u ger pro.

Member Avatar for FireSBurnsmuP

Well, yeah, but would I still use my compaq cd to wipe the drive, or would a windows disc of a different version still do it?

Member Avatar for FireSBurnsmuP

Well, I'm about to do it. So thanks, and wish me luck.

Just for the record, I'm doing it this way:
1.) Use Compaq windows disc to reformat, and install drivers.
2.) Use Windows XP pro 64-bit to upgrade my home edition.
3.) Install, seperately, Windows XP pro (normal)
4.) Then download and install vpc and debian 'etch,' as per this forum's recommendations.

Member Avatar for FireSBurnsmuP

Alright, well. All is good so far. I can't install windows XP pro sp2, because I already installed x64, apparently. Oh well, I will deal with this version for now. But, hey!

I can't reinstall my drivers using the software and driver restore CD that came with my computer; it won't autoplay!

Member Avatar for acole

how can I set 5yr Compaq Computer (S100) restored to factory default setting. problem ...can't uninstall nor reinstall Internet Explorer 8 nor Itune.

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