What should I do?

.Seth

.explorer.
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    OK, I plan to add some RAM (Random Access Memory for those who don't know. It determines the speed of the computer.) to my laptop.

    But...as a ROM-Hacker, I have (I guess...) illegal files on my comp.
    They are on a Flash Drive, but there is one on my desktop that I can't delete, rename, or move. It's file extension is this: .file

    So, my question is: What exactly does "System Restore" do?

    (My ROM files will be safe on a flash drive.)

    Does it delete everything, or just everything but the Windows Files?

    (You know, like the boot process files, stuff like that.)
     
    System Restore's name is self explanatory, it restores your system to an earlier time before a crash or system failure.

    ROM Hacking is technically not illegal as long as you don't distribute Roms directly. Like drugs, the FBI isn't really going to go after you for having the drugs, they're going to go after the people selling you them.

    As long as you save everything you want to a zip drive, I really don't see the need for a system restore once you add the RAM.
     
    Well, I do want to clean my computer completely, though.

    There is a LOT of crap on it.

    45% used up already. mostly crap.

    I can't decide whether to do it or not.
    (Plus, I'll have to talk my mom into agreeing with me... -_-)
     
    Seth the ROM master said:
    Well, I do want to clean my computer completely, though.

    There is a LOT of crap on it.

    45% used up already. mostly crap.

    I can't decide whether to do it or not.
    (Plus, I'll have to talk my mom into agreeing with me... -_-)
    Click to expand...

    System restore doesn't delete files, it just rolls back system files to whatever date. It's the first thing I disable on a new install of XP, because I've lost count of where someone has rolled back and had a virus they cleared come back!

    You'd be better off running a few Antispyware programs, maybe CCleaner, and the like. Just running system restore won't make a huge difference!
     
    Seth the ROM master said:
    But...as a ROM-Hacker, I have (I guess...) illegal files on my comp.
    They are on a Flash Drive, but there is one on my desktop that I can't delete, rename, or move. It's file extension is this: .file
    Click to expand...
    See this:
    If you are seeing the file type FILE this is not a file extension but an indicator in Windows Explorer that the file has no file extension.
    Click to expand...

    I'd imagine such files are an unreadable format, possibly corrupted beyond a drive's recognition.
     
    Virtual Chatot said:
    ROM Hacking is technically not illegal as long as you don't distribute Roms directly. Like drugs, the FBI isn't really going to go after you for having the drugs, they're going to go after the people selling you them.
    Click to expand...
    ROM Hacking won't usually get you into trouble, but it's still just as illegal as distributing ROMs.

    A system restore/reset will wipe everything off except for Windows components and the default Windows programs (In your case, probably WMP, IE, and Acessories) if you have a Windows.
     
    Mobile Tsk said:
    ROM Hacking won't usually get you into trouble, but it's still just as illegal as distributing ROMs.

    A system restore/reset will wipe everything off except for Windows components and the default Windows programs (In your case, probably WMP, IE, and Acessories) if you have a Windows.
    Click to expand...

    You mean a reformat. Very different to the System Restore found in Windows Millenium edition and later.

    A reformat will take to back to a completely clean XP, whereas System Restore only rolls back to a "recovery point" and can only restore certain file types (exe, dll, and a few others). It generally isn't that reliable, and can cause further problems in my experience.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Restore
     
    Hmm... :\
    Well, what I want to do is completely wipe my hard drive. (Everything except the Windows files.)
    but, there are some files that don't come with an uninstall file, and that say: Access Denied.
    It burns me so much! >:<
     
    Seth the ROM master said:
    Hmm... :\
    Well, what I want to do is completely wipe my hard drive. (Everything except the Windows files.)
    but, there are some files that don't come with an uninstall file, and that say: Access Denied.
    It burns me so much! >:<
    Click to expand...

    You could just uninstall everything, but it won't be anywhere near as thorough as just reformating the machine completely. If your computer has a COA sticker with a Windows Key written on it, you can just find an XP (or Vista) OEM disk of the correct version (well, with Vista any OEM disk should work fine!) and install it with that key. Perfectly legal, etc etc. I used to do this all the time when I worked at a PC repair shop.
     
    You could try deleating the file that is causing you trouble by booting into safe mode. To boot into safe mode, press F8 when you turn on your computer.
     
    if you're getting those access denied error stuff, try changing the file's properties say if read only is checked, uncheck it and try deleting it.
     
    Too lazy to see if someone already said this, but System Restore doesn't change your documents most of the time, only programs and this Windows setup.
     
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