I know how to format but the operating system is in the hard disk
2006-11-19 13:34:59 · 6 answers · asked by Pesa09 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Reformatting is usually a last resort to fix a corrupted system or to wipe out all the data on the hard-drive. I would back up anything you don't want to part with first.
You will need a working CD drive and a Windows XP CD with a valid license from Microsoft. With some brands of computers (HP, Dell, etc) you use a reinstall CD instead of a Windows CD.
You insert the CD in the drive and while the PC is booting you can press F12 to tell it to boot from the CD. You can also go into the Bios and tell it boot from the CDROM first. Once you get it to boot from the CD it will then check the drive for an existing operating system and partitions. There will be several options on the screen. Choose the one that let's you delete the existing OS partition and install the XP operating system. It will ask for a license key at some point. This is often located on the machine or with the license agreement. After XP is loaded you then need to validate your license. If you have an active internet connection you can do it online. You will probably need to reinstall drivers and other software. It is also a good idea to run windows upate and to install anti-virus software right away.
2006-11-19 13:50:09 · answer #1 · answered by Matt3471 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make a back up to cd's of the reinstallation files which are in the HD now, most pc companies provide an easy way to do it ,check the manual
If not provided; you need the Windows XP original program in order to boot the system and make a clean installation
2006-11-19 13:43:10 · answer #2 · answered by Ares 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just insert xp CD restart computer widows will format and install, sit down and relax like Microsoft says.
2006-11-19 13:38:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't have the windows install cds...your best bet is that the os install is on a separate partition of the hard drive. Just go to that partition, run the install program, and install it tothe partition that you want reformatted, as long as it is not the same partition of your install program.
2006-11-19 13:37:37 · answer #4 · answered by Jordan L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well when you format your hard disk it will erase every on your disk so you need to backup all your data,
2006-11-19 13:38:48 · answer #5 · answered by Kyle S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make a boot disk -- use windows help
2006-11-19 13:36:35 · answer #6 · answered by Buffalo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋