Can't restore computer! NEED HELP FAST!

[slayer]

My computer is a piece of junk...it has way too many programs on it and it's probably virus ridden. So, my dad wakes me up and tells me the computer crashed. I checked it out and messed around for a bit, and was able to get back to the desktop and all my files and everything was still there. Well, now I am trying to reset my computer completely... When I restart my computer, I get the option to go to boot menu and system recovery or whatever. When I try to go to system restore (F10) I get this black screen with white text instead of the system restore menu that should come up. If I type "help" in the command prompt I get a list of commands that don't seem to help... I'm not sure what to do. I've tried setting my system back to a certain date and trying it and that didn't work, and I don't have a recovery CD. I really need help with this!

[Ynot]

without a windows CD, you're all but screwed obtain a CD backup all your stuff wipe & reinstall

[slayer]

I already have the files I need, anything else can be downloaded. There has to be a way to do it without the CD...I've done it before without the CD (many times) but I need to know how to get around this black screen: (I didn't take the image) I go to the Recovery Console and then it gives me some commands to enter, but none of them seem to restore my computer.

[Keresztanya]

That's just a command prompt. If you're on Windows XP, just boot into Safe Mode, and it should ask you if you want to restore your computer to a previous date, or if you want to do something else. Run the built-in Windows restore function and restore it to a previous date. After you get that working, I'd recommend running an anti-virus, such as Avira or Avast! EDIT: Press F8 and you should be able to see the safe mode option.

[slayer]

That's just a command prompt. If you're on Windows XP, just boot into Safe Mode, and it should ask you if you want to restore your computer to a previous date, or if you want to do something else. Run the built-in Windows restore function and restore it to a previous date. After you get that working, I'd recommend running an anti-virus, such as Avira or Avast! EDIT: Press F8 and you should be able to see the safe mode option. I've tried setting it back to a certain date like 3 times...and it didn't do anything. I'll have to try and get my hands on a recovery CD soon.

[[SomeGuy]]

Or you can Linux it. And I know you want to be a gamer: WINE supports Steam and Valve games, and such. As for Windows, if all else fails, TPB. (I didn't say that.)

[slayer]

Erm.... TPB?

[no-Name]

Erm.... TPB? The Pirate Bay Just an obvious reminder to everyone, don't post links to anything illegal, we'd like to keep DreamViews above water, mmkay?

[Man of Steel]

The Pirate Bay is not illegal. In fact, if you have the serial number/license code for Windows (might be on a sticker somewhere on your PC chassis), even downloading a copy of Windows from a torrent site would not be, strictly speaking, illegal on your part.

[Ynot]

Nyaaa, now you see this is interesting....* cause "piracy" is the illiterate man's synonym for "copyright infringement" Yes, owning a valid serial number, you do have a legal claim to run a version of Windows but the software is copyrighted and you are not the copyright holder Technically, you do not have the right to copy a Windows installation CD** even though you have the right to run the software * Interesting for certain, strange folk that find these sorts of things interesting ** maybe granted by the EULA, but I highly doubt it

[dsr]

^ Yeah, the whole concept of intellectual property "rights" and copyright infringement vis-a-vis proprietary software is too complicated and debatable, so it's probably best to just ignore it. Although, using a superior and free OS lets you avoid such troubling moral dilemmas such as to use TPB or not to use TPB. I second [SomeGuy]'s suggestion of going with Linux, which can be used for quite a few games, either natively or with the help of wine (or CrossOver or cedega/winex).

[[SomeGuy]]

Yeah, Linux is your best bet. Piracy and such is confusing and generally not worth it for operating systems. Linux is just the way to go.

[IndigoGhost]

Simple, Build a time machine and stop your dad from browseing porn and catching the Virtu.If-Net.[I-Frame] virus.

[Ynot]

An OS that cannot safely peruse porn, without being borked to high heaven, is not ready for the desktop

[IndigoGhost]

An OS that cannot safely peruse porn, without being borked to high heaven, is not ready for the desktop Then you cleary have missed microsoft, But still all OS's are not safe. I managed to build both a MAC and Linux virus

[Keresztanya]

Or you can Linux it. And I know you want to be a gamer: WINE supports Steam and Valve games, and such. As for Windows, if all else fails, TPB. (I didn't say that.) If you want to game, please don't think that Linux plus WINE is an acceptable option. The Steam program itself runs like shit on WINE, and most games lag or run choppily in WINE. Try using Windows 7, it works on XP machines and is free for now.

[[SomeGuy]]

If you want to game, please don't think that Linux plus WINE is an acceptable option. The Steam program itself runs like shit on WINE, and most games lag or run choppily in WINE. Try using Windows 7, it works on XP machines and is free for now. Honestly, do you work for Microsoft or something?