How do you restore from a partition

My sister owns a dv2000t and has been having some problems with the sound. We've spoken to HP and a local computer technician and it seems like the repair will cost more than buying a new computer.

But I'd still like to restore the OS to make sure it isn't simply a software problem. Her problems started the same day Windows (XP) did an automatic update. I tried a system restore, but it didn't help.

There is a partition which contains everything that will bring the laptop back to the original state. But I forget how to do the clean install. Can someone please tell me the steps to do this.

Thank you!

 

I believe you press F11 as the computer is starting up (or whatever key is required). From there on just follow the prompts to recover the system to the original factory state. If F11 doesn't work, try F8. Press it repeatedly from the time you turn the computer on.

 

Hold on now, before you restore her laptop, post up her sound issues. Maybe we can solve that problem.

 

thanks, josher. Sounds right now that you mention it.

Wow jin07, thanks for the offer. I actually did ask in another forum but didn't get any helpful replies. I've explained it here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=271823

I've done system restores, installed new drivers, checked mute buttons, etc. to no avail. If you can come up with something else I can try, it would be great.

btw, she has very few programs on her computer and I've done a backup of her files.

 

Have you checked out Device Manager for anything wrong? Control Panel -> System -> Hardware -> Device Manager. Also, when you're in device manager checking the different sound drivers, see if there's anything going on there. Check to see if it's enabled, if there's any warnings, etc. Next, is the computer fully updated? I'm talking about everything, drivers, BIOS, Windows Update etc. I'll put a link at the end for the HP dv2000t driver page. A complete reinstall should be done as a last resort. If that doesn't clear up the problem, then it is definitely a hardware issue and it will need to be taken in.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=228&lc=en&cc=us&lang=en&dlc=en&product=3177435

 

jin07, yes, I checked all the things you mentioned and nothing worked. So I did a reinstall. Didn't help the external mic problem so it's definately hardware. Thing is, they said it will be between $500 and $1000 to fix, so it's more prudent to get a new notebook for many reasons.

However, the internal mic works fine. When my sister uses a headset, she can hear others and they can hear her. Go figure. Buying a headset was a fraction of the cost of the other options so that is the route she'll take at this time.

Otherwise, with the clean install, everything is purring like a brand new kitten.

I really appreciate your help. Many thanks!

 

Well that's unfortunate. At least a headset works fine.

 

You mentioned in your alternate thread that you eventually lost ALL sound after trying the headphones including the sound from videos. Did your "clean install" fix that problem? Just curious..