how do i know my BIOS settings??

Question

is hat i am trying to format my computer to and get rid of all the old information that i have and to upgrade it to windows xp home professional.. can someone please tell me how to format my hard drive and what does that have t do with BIOS settings?

Answer 1

You can NORMALLY get to the BIOS screens by holding the "del" key while starting your system. The BIOS settings have nothing to do with formatting your hard drive; that is a separate operation. (see below) I assume you have ONLY 1 partition on your HD, and are going to use windows.

WARNING: Changing settings in the BIOS, unless you know what you are doing can result in a not-running system.

BEST choice is CHANGE NOTHING you don't understand. IF you goof, there are usually a "default" and an "optimum" or "optimize" settings. The first will almost always guarantee that it works, the second uses built in tests to set things for the best AVERAGE performance, based on what it finds hooked up to the system.(ex. extra hard drive, and other internal devices.)

To format the HD (Hard Drive) you need to SAVE EXTERNALLY (CD/DVD/USB drive etc.) ALL files you do not want to lose. (Formating the drive clears it of EVERYTHING.)

You may have to change the boot order in the BIOS to let you boot from either a CD or an A: drive, (some new systems don't have this drive.)

You start the system from either a floppy (A: drive) or a CD such as the Windows CD.
For the A: drive it will probably come up in DOS with a ">" prompt.
For the CD there will be options, pick "Run from CD" then "Command Prompt" which should give you a ">".
In either case, after the prompt type "Dir /p". That will get you 1 screen at a time of the directory; you are looking to see if there is a file called "Format". (hit any key to advance 1 screen at a time)

NOTE: The CD may give you options to format as FAT or NTFS, (if it is a newer system of windows.) If it does, use the NTFS, IF this is also the Operating System Disc you will use to load from.
If NOT look for a MSDOS directory and enter cd/msdos to change directories then run the above again.
You must find a "format" file.
When you find it, finish the directory run, then type "Format C:", (this should save a "mirror" or recoverable image allowing you to un-format MAYBE),

OR

"Format C: /u" (Unconditional, does not save ANYTHING)
and hit "enter"

When it finishes running it will tell you how much space there is on the Hard Drive, list any bad sectors, and ask for a name. You can enter a name or just hit "enter"

When this is done, you will have a BLANK HD ready for a new operating system.
Restart the system with the Operating System CD, follow the instructions to install the system.

NOTE: I have given the long slow way, which guarantees that you have a totally clean system hard drive to work with.
There are shortcuts, but I can not guarantee that they clear out everything.

There is ALSO another type of format called a "low-level format", (requires a special program), and unless you know exactly what you are doing you do NOT even want to try that. It is seldom necessary to go THAT far.

Answer 2

One, There is Windows XP Home and XP Professional. Two different O.S's. All you have to is put that install disk in and it will give you options to repair etc. You want to install a fresh copy. This will give you the option to format. You will not have any bios settings to deal with unless you set a Bios password or unless you have to change the boot preferences to cd.

Answer 3

Hi remember me? typing brb

BIOS is a program that boots your computer and interfaces for it. Now the actual settings are stored in the CMOS part of the BIOS. People enter the BIOS to change settings for different reasons but for your case it is to set it to boot from the CD Rom first.

To get into your BIOS you will have to hit repeatedly a certian set of keys or key while the computer starts to boot up. It is diferent for every computer type. To find out your's might be you need to do a google search with the name of the manufacture of your comptuer or you can go to the manufacture's site and get it there.

When you get into the BIOS program look around everywhere(DIffernet again for every computer) for something that will let you set the boot sequence on your computer. Change it to boot from the CD Rom first then to the Hard Drive. It might say Primary or Secondary that is asking you which CD Rom you want it dosn't matter aslong as you got one of them selected. Besure to incude the hard drive at the end of the boot sequence so you can install your Operating System on it(Which most Bios Progams do anyways.)

Answer 4

there isnt much to do in the bios settings. only thing off the top of my head is that you can change the boot order of your computer. so, lets say you have a windows disk... you need to switch the boot order so that the CD boots first, not your hard drive.

to get to the bios, restart computer. you will need to hit a key very quickly. sometimes its the F8 key, sometimes ESC key. Even DEL key. Usually when you start your computer there will a message that says, "to change settings press this key" or something to that effect. remember, dont get too crazy in the bios because that is your main settings for your motherboard/computer

Answer 5

If you have a Windows XP, you can use that disk to format your hard drive. Normally that has nothing to do with your BIOS setting.

Answer 6

If F1 or F8 arent working try using the Delete key. But what are you going into your bios for ?

Answer 7

The BIOS is the computers info and you can change some of it. You can change the settings to your preferences. To reformat press f10 when booting.