deleted all vista default settings

marianne · Dec 25, 2007

I recently deleted all my preset default settings on my husband's brand new Dell Inspiron lap top computer. Will this cause me trouble in the future? If so what should I do?

Brink · Dec 25, 2007

Hi Marianne,

Welcome to the forum. :party:

It depends. What specific default settings did you delete?

This might cause trouble from your husband.

LOL

Shawn

marianne · Dec 25, 2007

I deleted all of the default settings. I thought I was deleting the default for the email and i clicked on do you want to delete all the default settings. It went crazy, and I couldn't stop it and then they were gone. As you can tell, I am not a computer person. But The computer works, are there any real important ones that can't be reset? My husband is going to be furious. Do you manually have to reset each item? I reset the one for Media direct. I couldn't get on the internet explorer because the icon was gone, i know it is still on the computer. I don't know what else needs the default set????? Help! What kind of trouble are we talking about?

marianne · Dec 25, 2007

Under Set your default programs the only thing listed is
Windows Phot Gallery
Windows Contacts
Windows Calendar

Brink · Dec 25, 2007

Marianne,

If you have System Restore enabled, you can do a System Restore to a restore point dated right before you deleted everything. This will restore them. Try to pick the most recent one before this, because you will lose everything you have done after that date.

How to Do a System Restore in Vista

Can you tell me exactly what you clicked on step by step in the default settings that let you delete everything?

Do you have a Vista Express or Retail installation DVD?

Shawn

marianne · Dec 25, 2007

the computer is a new dell AMD turion 64x2 With Vista home premium. I tried the system restore and it went through the process but the defaults settings were still all gone. I was real surprised that this did not solve my problem. And more disappointed than anything.

I am really not sure where I was when this accident took place, and am afraid to try to look. It seems like I was in the control panel but i freaked when it all happened. at one time I was in internet programs- set programs- because i was trying to change the email default to hotmail.-- It asked me something like if I want to change the default settings, I said yes, and then they were gone. Does this help at all?

marianne · Dec 26, 2007

sorry, that was internet properties not internet programs.

marianne · Dec 26, 2007

I think i was in internet properties, internet programs, set programs. set program access and computer defaults.

Brink · Dec 26, 2007

Marianne,

We'll try this before having to resort to anything drastic first.

1. Run a sfc /scannow command to see if that will restore the default listings.

How to Repair and Verify the Integrity of Vista System Files with System File Checker

2. If 1 does not help and you have a Vista Express or Restore installation DVD, then you can do a Repair install. This will allow you to repair your Vista installation without losing your files, settings, and programs. It will not work for a Recovery DVD. It will just do a clean install only.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista

Shawn

Brink · Dec 26, 2007

Marianne,

Windows Mail does not support Hotmail. You might consider using Windows Live Mail (WLM) instead. It supports Pop3, IMAP, HTTP website (EX: Hotmail) email, and is a lot more stable. Plus, WLM will minimize to a tray bar icon and has a separate Inbox for each email account. WLM will automatically import Windows Mail messages, accounts, and settings into it. Contacts will have to be manually imported from within WLM. (Tools, Contacts, File, Import, Address book for current Windows User.) To see the Menu bar, press ALT+M and check "Show all menus".

Windows Live Suite Downloads

Shawn

marianne · Dec 26, 2007

Were you able to see what I had done with the info I gave you?

marianne · Dec 26, 2007

I did the scan and it said that the Windows Resource protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
Details are included in the cbs.log windir/logs/cbs/cbs.log

Now what?
PS I really appreciate you.

coolchris · Dec 26, 2007

As Brink suggested...seems the only solution is the do the Repair installation. Follow the guide he linked to very carefully. Let us know if that solved it...should have.

Brink · Dec 26, 2007

Marianne,

I looked and found the areas you were talking about, but I cannot see why it would remove all the entries just about in the Default programs list. Something else had went horribly wrong.

I think it is time to do a Repair install if you have a Vista Express or Retail installation DVD. If not, then a clean install will be your only option now. Be sure to backup any data you do not want to lose.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista

I wish I had a better solution for you.

Shawn

marianne · Dec 26, 2007

I have the reinstallation dvd that came with the computer. Is this the right disk?

Brink · Dec 26, 2007

This may be only a Recovery DVD. You can try to the instructions in the tutorial for a Repair install. You will know soon if it is not a Express or Retail DVD.

If it is not, then your DVD can only be used to wipe out your hard drive and reinstall everything all over again.

marianne · Dec 26, 2007

This may be a dumb question, but if the computer seem to be working ok, what would happen if I didn't wipe out the hard drive and restall?

coolchris · Dec 26, 2007

.....you would still have the original problems that you wanted help with!

Brink · Dec 26, 2007

Marianne,

CoolChris could not have stated it better.

You can borrow a friends Vista Express or Retail DVD to perform just a Repair install. You just have to be sure to type in your product key number and not theirs while doing it.

Shawn

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