how can i do a quick format to my pc?

Question

i have windows XP home edition!i don't want to do a full formate cause i 'll loose everything and i don't have the time to make backups or re-installing all my programs again!a friend of mine told me that there is a quick format that i can do,the problem is that i don't know how!!PS:i have the original cd with windows XP home edition that was with the pc whwn i bought it.

Answer 1

Try reinstalling windows , it will solves most of the issues relating to corrupt files.
Also your data/(previous installations) will not be erased.

Answer 2

The difference between a full format and a quick format is the full format erases the table that tells where all the files are and also the headers and links of all the files. A quick format only erases the table. The files are still there, but Windows has no way of finding or accessing them. So for all practical purposes they are gone. (It is quicker just to erase the table - thus the name quick format). Either one will erase all our data.

What you probably want to do is a reinstall. That is where you install Windows without wiping everything.
Put XP CD into your CD drive
Boot the computer off the CD
Should start the Windows upset
After you have done the "I agree", etc, you will be prompted about whether to format the drive
Select the "Do not change the drive" option (Not sure of the exact working on XP Home, as I support a commercial site so normally work with XP Pro)
This will reinstall the main XP files without erasing or formatting the hard drive.

Recommend that before you do this, you post the issue(s) you are having with XP. There may be a simplier solution. Plus depending on the issue, a reinstall may not fix things, as it only reinstalls some of the Windows files - not everything.

Answer 3

If windows is installed in a partition ( for example c:\ ) and you have your programs within the same partition, there's no way to format and not loose your programs. Ofcourse in Quick Format, you may be able to recover your data but it's not guaranteed. The best way for you, is to backup your important data first, then install a fresh windows on your first partition, setup your applications again and then, make a full backup of that partition ( Make an Image ) by programs like Norton Ghost form Symantec or True Image by Acronis.
This way, next time you want to change your windows, all you need is to restore your Image taken before and it will take you only a few minutes to do so ( most of the time less than 10 mins ).

Answer 4

A Format of any type deletes everything.

Quick format does it without fixing hard drive errors.
Regular format checks the HDD and repairs disk errors before formatting.

Back up your C: Drive (ghost it) onto another drive. Then format and update windows. Put the stuff you need back on C:

Answer 5

sounds pick to me you pick better RAM, I actual have that similar problem too! yet with the completed format that is going to take a lengthy time period anyhow counting on the dimensions of your not basic-power! My ideal propose is to do the format at nighttime top b-4 you bypass to mattress so it's going to be in a position to position in once you upward thrust up!

Answer 6

I don;t think there is a way to reformat you PC with out erasing completely. The only thing you can do is defragment your hard drive.

Do not instert that cd because you might cuase your hard drive to be erased!

Answer 7

if you want to format drive in which you install your OS it is not possible. another drive can be formated by right click on drive
and press button format then click on quick format the drive will be formated.if u want to format drive in which your os install you re-install OS agin not anoter way so try.........................

Answer 8

it depends ..
1 is der any partitions...?if
der is any partition, den u can format..

2.is it a single partition?
if its a single partition, den u cant format it, if u wnt da data...!!

3.oderwise u can use 'SYSPREP' by norton ghost to take da full backup