Although no longer the newest operating system in the Microsoft arsenal, Windows Vista is still the choice of millions of PC users around the world. Gateway shipped many models of desktop and laptop computers with various versions of Windows Vista installed. Generally speaking, restoring a Gateway computer with Vista Home Premium installed is about the same as resetting a machine with any other Windows version -- you simply need to use the System Restore disc that shipped with the PC.
Instructions
1. Connect a USB flash drive or external hard drive to the machine, and copy all important files to the device if possible.
2. Disconnect all cables and peripherals connected to the Gateway computer except the keyboard, mouse and monitor. Power on the PC and insert the System Recovery Disc into the CD/DVD drive of the computer. You must insert the disc before Windows starts to boot. If you put the disc in too late, reboot the computer with the disc inserted.
3. Press the "R" key after the PC starts to boot from the System Recovery Disc. After the Recovery prompt appears on the screen, press the "F" key to initialize the "Full System Recovery" option.
4. Press the "Y" key when prompted to reformat the system hard drive before reinstalling Windows on the machine. Wait a few minutes for the System Recovery utility format the Gateway PC's hard drive and copy needed installation files for Windows.
5. Click the "Restart" button when prompted; then wait for the computer to reboot. After the "Welcome to Microsoft Windows" screen appears, click the "Next" button.
6. Click "Next" on the "Select Your System Settings" screen. Select your time zone in the drop-down list; then click "Next." On the License Agreement screen, click the "Yes I accept" button.
7. Click "Help Protect my PC by Turning on Automatic Updates Now." Type a network name for your PC, and enter an administrator password.
8. Enter user names and password for everyone that will use the PC in the corresponding fields of the "Who Will Use This Computer?" screen. Wait a few minutes for the Windows Setup utility to copy additional files and complete the installation.
9. Click the "Finish" button to restart the computer when prompted. After the computer restarts, log in with your Windows user name and password.
10. Insert the "Drivers and Applications" disc into the CD or DVD drive of your Gateway computer. Click "Install Drivers and Original Software"; then wait for the utility to install the needed drivers and software on the machine.
11. Restart your computer when prompted. Connect the USB drive to the computer and copy files you backed up earlier to the PC. Reinstall additional programs as needed.
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