Formatting?

[paparoma]

I am running a windows 7 operating system on my Sony Vaio. Its been pretty slow lately and got numerous viruses that I have to scan periodically. If i wanted to format my computer and save the necessary files on a USB.. how would I do that?

Since I bought this computer with the win 7 already on it.. and have no CD.. is there anyway I can still do it.. or do I need to purchase the CD?

Thanks.

 

[Bill2]

If you have not fiddled with the recovery partition you can launch recovery from that.

How to Recover Factory Settings on Sony Vaio Computer with Windows 7 | eHow.com

The process is also described in the user manual that would have come with your computer.

Make sure you backup important user data before starting recovery. Once the computer is restored to factory state, make a set of recovery disks asap.

If OTOH the recovery partition is not usable, you'll need to get hold of a win7 disk, install and activate with the sticker key.

FYI, you can also order a set of recovery disks from Sony for a nominal charge.

 

[marsmimar]

Depending on your particular Vaio model, you may have an Assist button located above and to the right of your keyboard. With the computer turned off, click the Assist button once and the machine will power on and take you to a Sony help screen which includes an option to restore to factory specs.

 

[mjf]

.....If i wanted to format my computer and save the necessary files on a USB.. how would I do that?......

You have the advice on factory restore but you need to backup your personal files first and these will need to be scanned for viruses. There are a number out there - I use Malwarebytes and it appears well regarded. Others who know more about this may advise.
Note if you backup using software that produces zip files, your virus scanner may need to be enabled to scan within the zips.

 

[paparoma]

Why wont the recovery partition be unusable?? If I follow those steps.. wont it just save all the files I want and return to factory setting with WINDOWS 7 there..?

 

[gregrocker]

Even if you have factory recovery which allows you to backup files, you could not count on it. Factory Recovery like any install can fail to run or fail while running. This is why you need to back up your files first, have Recovery DIsks made as a backup in case running Factory Recovery from boot fails

As a last resort, you can find a Win7 installation DVD and follow these steps for clean Reinstalling Windows 7 with the Product Key on the COA sticker on machine.