How do I do a full destructive recovery?

Question

I have two computers that need a full destructive recovery. I am using my own computer to find answers to get these working again. I am trying to recover with Windows XP. Any help greatly appriciated.

I am trying to do a destructive recovery on two different computers and am trying to do so from a screen that appears when I start the computer. I have tried using the F10 and F11 keys to enter the dos part of recovery but can't seem to find it. All I find is the AwardBIOS Set up Utility screen. Any help appriciated.

Answer 1

not too sure what you mean by "full destructive recovery". Usually one does not include destructive and recovery together. If you want to "just" recover (get it working again), the XP recovery console is the thing to do. To be "fully destructive", format and reinstall from scratch.

I suggest the format method, as even though it seems more drastic, you will spend much less time getting everything to work again in the end

Answer 2

Boot up from the windows XP disk when your computer starts up. This will give you the option to do so. You can do a fresh install or re-install windows. Try to re-install windows first and see if that fixes your problem.

If you can, backup and files that you may need. It may be necessary to format your hard drive. Use this as the last option though.

F8 is they key you should use. This will give you the startup options. You can boot the computer in safe mode then.

Also, make sure in the BIOS that the CD drive is a boot device. You may need to make this the first device. That way you can boot from the Windows CD.

Answer 3

You can go to tools or help by the PC name such as dell or gateway or hp and usually it is there to do this.Look under start and programs or go to c drive and look under program files for manufacture tools Good luck