Plan out the reinstallation based on your unique computer needs.

Perform drive SMART test to insure that your hard drive is healthy before proceeding.

Create temporary backup of your drive if you have critical personal data to migrate (up to 100 GB).

Recover license keys for various add-on software if any.

Recover your valid Windows product key if needed.

Back up certificates if any, if needed and if possible.

Backup email account data and settings if any (Thunderbird, Outlook, or Outlook Express).

Backup Internet Explorer or Firefox browser data if any.

Backup passwords if any, if needed and if possible.

Back up hardware drivers

Zero wipe (if necessary) and format drive

Error check drive

Reinstall Windows and latest updates and service packs

Reinstall computer hardware drivers, verify hardware functionality

Reinstall drivers for up to 2 peripheral devices (such as printer and scanner).

Install anti-virus software such as (FREE) Microsoft Security Essentials, download latest updates

Install basic necessity freeware programs Flash, PDF Reader, Java

Install basic necessity freeware programs of your choice (such as Firefox, Thunderbird)

Install up to 3 additional basic paid software programs that you provide (example: Microsoft Office). You will need to provide your software installation CD and product key for each commercial software product.

Import raw data to one folder on your desktop.

Move "My Documents", "My Music", "My Pictures", "My Videos", "Desktop", "Favorites" for one "user account" to the new user account folder structure.

Reconfigure email account settings for one "user account" if you use Thunderbird, Outlook or Outlook Express.

Reconfigure Internet Explorer or Firefox browser data if any for one "user account".

Test wired cable Internet connection

Workmanship performed is warranted for 90 days after date of delivery.

 

LIMITATIONS:

Does not include troubleshooting of other devices and attachments such as modem, router, wireless adapter, printer, scanner, etc.

If you use DSL or 56K Internet (not cable) you may need to call your DSL provider to reset your modem.

"User" account settings such as desktop background image (wallpaper) will all be reset to "factory default" settings.

Does not include restoration of wireless connections, other than to insure that the default hardware drivers on the computer itself are properly installed and working. This means that your computer will run as it did when you bought it new out of the box.

Does not include installation and / or reconfiguring of certain software such as Windows automatic backup scheduling, data backup software (such as Carbonite), VPN software, drive encryption software, Net 2 Phone, Skype, and certain other 3rd party software or hardware.

Does not include installation or support for AOL's notoriously problematic, sluggish Interface / browser. If you have an AOL email address, you can easily access your email at mail.aol.com with ANY other other browser such as FireFox or Internet Explorer. You can also set AOL to be your home page on ANY browser.

Does not include support for a customized local area network (LAN) of multiple computers other than to insure that the default network hardware drivers are properly installed. This means that your computer will run as it did when you bought it new out of the box. Do you share printers and documents with other computers throughout your home or business via a wireless or wired network?

Does not include installation of certain complex software such as pro audio and video editing software.

A valid Windows product key is required to reinstall Windows. An OEM product key is forever licensed to one computer and cannot be transferred.

Sorry. No residential out calls (for pick up, delivery or follow up troubleshooting).

PCR 30-day warranty does NOT cover virus infection because reinstalling Windows definitely removes viruses.

 

WHY REINSTALL WINDOWS?

Here are the most common situations that warrant a reinstallation of Windows:

1. Damaged or failing hard drive.

2. Some viruses or combinations of viruses can cause insidious damage to Windows, the registry, etc. The act of simply removing viruses can render a system unbootable or essentially "damaged beyond repair".

3. A failed Windows update may leave a system too damaged to fix using the various repair methods.

4. Years of inherit registry changes may slow a computer beyond repair.

5. Use of bad registry cleaners may cause more harm than good.

6. Login failure loop (Windows logs off immediately after entering the password). Statistically this seems to only be repairable about 50% of the time. When repair methods fail, Windows must be reinstalled.

7. System file checker, "repair install", registry restore, manual registry editing and other methods fail to repair a system.

8. You the customer must be absolutely 100% certain that all viruses are removed from the computer.

 

YOUR QUESTION: Will reinstalling windows definitively remove all viruses from my computer? Yes. Viruses are launched from startup instruction in the Windows registry each time the computer is turned on. Reinstalling Windows rebuilds the registry. Some viruses are launched from the boot sector of the hard drive, however by zero wiping the hard drive these viruses are removed. If you have personal data that you need backed up (and migrated to the new installation of Windows) PCR will scan that data for viruses. Even if the scan misses a virus or viruses, such virus files should be rendered benign and harmless because the brand new Windows registry will not be instructed to launch any viruses.

 

 

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Experts say that you should have at least two safety backups of your critical personal data, each stored at different locations. That's 3 copies in total.  You are encouraged to visit this page for help on backing up your data prior to bringing your product in. PCR is not liable for data loss.

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