How do I remove personal info off PC before returning

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Lowell

Lowell

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Joined
Aug 15, 2005
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Tempe, AZ
I bought a Dell PC 6 weeks ago at Costco and I have had so many problems with it.  It looks up all the time.  Some times it won't shut down, and I get untold commercials when trying to look something up on the web.  Today I was trying to find data on a Dzus fastener, and I got 3 commercials come up when I clicked on the fastener size highlight.

So I am going to return it to Costco.  I haven't put any financial data on it but I did use it for e-mail, reading the forum, etc.  It has windows 8.1.  When It boots up it shows my name and it also show if I have any e-mail.  How do I get rid of it show my name or email before I return it.
 
Format C:  but that delets everything.  Restore should also do it
 
I would definitely NOT recommend that you Format your C drive if you are planning to return it!

You'll have to restore to factory settings, but at least 1, and likely 2, of the issues you mentioned is malware that you downloaded, so this will just happen with whatever you replace it with unless you change some of your habits, and get a good malware cleaner.

The "commercials" that pop up come from your web links might not even be found with malware. They're nasty suckers to eradicate (I've been there). You have to figure out what the url name is of the company that is doing that, then Google how to get rid of it. I can help you with that if you are interested, OR...

After resetting to factory settings, you might try using it again, just for kicks. But this time, get some good web protection so you don't inadvertently expose yourself to this headache again. We can help you with this.
 
Lowell, Do a complete system restore and not just doing a restore point. Doing a restore point will leave all your personal files. Delete any email programs and any other programs you installed FIRST. Then download a free program called Ccleaner. Part of the program will allow you to wipe the free space on your computer. This is where everything you have deleted still lives. That should do it for you. It does sound like you have been hit with a virus or malware, causing the pop up ads and redirects. Any computer you own will need a good anti-virus and anti-malware program installed before you ever connect to the internet. Chuck
 
Normally, I would also recommend Darik's Boot and Nuke, but since you're returning this to the store, they will expect it to be in the same condition as when sold.  There should be a system restore partition on the hard drive, accessible usually through the boot menu, that will wipe all data and programs added since you bought it and restore the original factory image.  No need to delete anything first, the restore image will take care of that.

I would do that anyway, even if you don't return it as you have apparently picked up some malware that's causing your problems.  Exchanging it won't solve those if you do the same things all over again with the new computer.
 
Ned has done a good job of distilling what we all just said  :). When you restore the factory settings, there's no need to delete anything else first, or after. It'll be the same as if you just took it out of the box.

Once you've done that, and know how to do it, it's perfectly safe to just start over if you want to try that, rather than returning it to the store. As long as you like the features you bought it for in the first place, it's highly unlikely there is anything actually wrong with the machine itself.
 
If I go to the control panel I see 3 options for restore

1. Create a recogery drive
2. Open System restore
3. Configure system restore.

Which should I use?
 

edit: I also see a "Remove everything and reinstall Windows"
 
None, you need to access the boot menu when you restart the computer.  Look for a list of function keys at boot time, one of them will start the recovery procedure.  This article from Dell may apply.  If not, then go to the Dell support web site and search for the information particular to your model.

It's possible the "Remove everything and reinstall Windows" will also start the recovery procedure.
 
Ned, When I turn on the computer, it goes to a sign in screen.  Then I have to sign in before I can go anywhere else. I don't get a boot menu.
 
You have to invoke the boot menu with a function key when you see the BIOS screen.  Did you read the article at Dell that I posted?
 
Yes, but it was for windows 7.  I just don't see what I am looking for.  I decided to do a Dell Backup and Recovery and see how that turns out.  It says it will remove all my personal files.
 
Well, it looks like that worked!  When it restarted, it asks for country of origin, language, keyboard layout, and time zone.  Its going back to the store.
 
While the article was written about Windows 7, the boot menu is independent of the operation system.  But since you found that the "Remove everything and reinstall Windows" did the same thing, great.

Your problems were not because of the computer, but something you installed or acquired inadvertently.  If you repeat what you did with a new computer, it will happen again.
 
Ned is correct. You should not return the computer. You should start over with the Dell and get an anti virus program and an anti malware program installed. And you should stay away from suspicious web sites, like porno, gambling and warez sites. And stop downloading things off the Internet. And don't open any email attachments.
 
Lowell what virus program are you running? When was the last time you checked for updates and run the program?
You are wasting your time if you don't listed to herekittykitty, Ned and SeilerBird.
Bill
 
SeilerBird, I am not disagreeing with you, but for someone who's not quite sure what they're looking at/what's going on, you've pretty much just said, "Don't use your computer."  :D

Not that I have the catch-all solution, but in defense of the semi-computer literate, it's getting harder and harder these days to know what's okay and what's not. Even my favorite malware detector couldn't clean out the last "shopping virus" I managed to contract a couple of years ago, but in my case I knew exactly what it was and what I had to do to get rid of the nasty thing.

Karen
 
Ned, starting with Windows 8, you don't have to access the boot menu to restore factory settings (luckily!). But when I wiped my last Win 8.1 drive, I still had to Google how to do that. They don't want to make that TOO easy to do, I guess.  ;)

Karen

P.S. There are lots of geeky places to go for computer info these days, but the last time I had a puzzling tech problem that even Google couldn't find, I came here. It felt weird going to an RV forum for computer advice, but I knew someone here would have the answer. How awesome is that?
 
The first thing I did after getting the computer was install McAfee Total Protection.  So if I got virus after that, I'm not sure how.  I did take the PC back to Costco and they didn't give me any resistance to taking it back and refunding my purchase price plus tax.  While there, I picked up a new HP computer equivalent to the Dell in ram and disk space.  As it was on sale today, I even saved a few bucks plus it already has Windows 10 installed on it.  Whether I will like Windows 10 remains to be seen.  I have made all my comments n this thread using my old gateway which keeps on ticking but makes so much fan noise, that it is irritating.
 
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