Restoring a Laptop

**Some Stupid Japanese Name** · 06 Jul 2012, 01:58 PM

I've had this laptop for over five years. It doesn't have any fatal errors or anything, but it does run slower than it used to. I have run CCleaner, Superantispyware, malwarebytes, and use Avast for antivirus. I occasionally find a few tracking bugs, but nothing serious since the google redirect virus from a year ago.
Maybe it's all in my head, but whatever. I want to wipe it clean and start over. Basically, what do I have to do? I didn't get a boot disc with it, so if I have to make one (I have Vista) how do I do that. I tried googling. I'm confused. I need the steps to be presented in the most basic of terms because I'm shit at this kind of thing.
If you can help, or can point me to a step by step guide, I appreciate it.
It's a toshiba and it came pre installed with a bunch of crap that I don't want, so I don't want to just do a factory restore. I want to start from scratch.

**FirstBlood** · 06 Jul 2012, 02:00 PM

Put in the windows disc and boot from it?

**Some Stupid Japanese Name** · 06 Jul 2012, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Some Stupid Japanese Name

I didn't get a boot disc with it, so if I have to make one (I have Vista) how do I do that.

**FirstBlood** · 06 Jul 2012, 02:10 PM

Download the windows disc from anywhere, burn it and boot from it?

**Joust Williams** · 06 Jul 2012, 02:14 PM

Your Vista copy is a real disc right? It should be bootable. Just have to make sure that your BIOS boots from disc before HD.

if it's a OEM restore disk, you might want to check the Toshiba website because YMMV. Often it is as simple as format c:, boot from that disk, install, uninstall junk

**kedawa** · 06 Jul 2012, 02:17 PM

Download the latest install disc, which I believe is SP2, and write it to a disc.
Boot from that disc, delete all partitions, then just install in the empty space.