How to Do a Total Restore on Windows XP

Restore Your Computer to Factory Settings
1. Back up all files that you created after you purchased your computer. If you have numerous large files to back up, save your personal files on an 8-megabyte removable disk.
2. Access the restore tool. Click 'Start,' then 'Control Panel.' Next, click 'System and Maintenance.' Select the option 'Back Up Your Computer,' which is just below 'Get Started With Windows.'
3. Select 'Advanced Restore' to review the advanced-restore options available on your computer. Choose the 'Advanced Restore' icon to restore files from a backup made from another computer or restore network files for several users. Choose 'Restore Files' to restore backup files made on your current computer.
4. Remove extraneous personal files if you do not have enough memory to run a total restore, for which you will need 200 megabytes. Select 'Repair Windows' to run a complete system restore.
5. Click 'Start' then 'Restart' to save the restore settings for your operating system. Copy and paste your documents from the removable disks back onto your hard drive.