how do i format my computer?

Answer 1

I hope you realize that its a destructive action that you are taking and will render your computer useless until you install the new OS on it.

Things to consider before you do that:
1) Backup all your data (songs, music, documents, everything that you care about, installable programs with keys etc) into a external HDD or burn that into a CD.
2) Export the current settings for browser (favorites etc)
3) Export all your mails (PST) and contacts if you also use outlook express or MS-Outlook.
4) Create a bootable emergency disk (cd)
5) Re-evaluate why you want to format the disk and there might be an easier solution to your problem than formatting.

if you really want to format then follow the instructions below:

-Insert the bootable disk that you created above into the CD
-Boot the PC from CD
-On the command Prompt type the following: FORMAT C:
-Press ENTER key
Once the operation is complete you would have successfully lost everything on your computer!
- Install the OS (any) on your computer for it to work again.

Answer 2

If you have a win xp with service pack 2 cd with you, its very easy...just do as it guides you.Else you should have a boot disk.
If you dont have one,its easy to make.Just insert a floppy disk into your floppy drive,right click the flopy drive icon,then click on format.In the new window that pops up, tick on the box-create an ms dos strat up disk.now click on start.The boot disk is ready for use now. If your pc is not in a working condition you can do it in any pc.

Now insert the boot disk into the floppy drive and restart the pc.
Now wait for a screen to appear which contains A:

To format your c: type format c:
and for d: type format d:
and so on

And now to instal a fresh copy of windows
insert the cd which contains windows
Type the drive letter of your cd on the cursor that follows A:

Now A: changes to your cd drive letter(may be f or g)
now type setup.exe to install

Answer 3

Use a Windows Xp SP2 CD.Insert it in ur cd drive,go in ur system Bios n set the CD drive as the 1st boot device.follow the steps till u get the option 2 install windows on drive c,it will ask u if u want 2 repair the already existing window,press esc.Keep going on & u'll get an 4 options if u want 2 Format ur drive with 1)FAT32,2)FAT32 (Quick),3)NTFS or 4)NTFS (Quick).Select FAT32 (Quick) then press enter & the rest is peice of cake.But before u format ur drive do backup all ur data 1st.& u'll need the windows CD Key make a note of it...If u need more help send a mail at [e-mail]!!!Good luck!!!

Answer 4

Put the operating system disk that came with the disk and interst it into the cd drive then turn your computer off and turn it on again there will be a screen there asking you if you want to format or start windows normally. you will need to pick format

Answer 5

If you just want to install a new copy of put the boot CD in and run it. Very easy that way. Otherwise you need to get a boot floppy and run the command.

Answer 6

If your operating system is Windows XP use the Recovery System CDs that were provided, this will reboot your computer to its factory settings but be sure to get a back up copy of all the important files because you will not get them back as they will be deleated.

Answer 7

First, I would suggest you ask yourself," Do I really want or need to do this?" Formatting a HD is major stuff (and a pain, because then you have to reload and reset everything).

If you still want to go ahead, click on the link below for instructions.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6026_format-hard-drive.html