can anyone tell me step by step process for formatting a laptop?

Question

it is a Compaq Presario laptop with Windows XP-Professional. Originally it had XP-Home but later i upgraded it. I want to erase everything that is there and reload all the programs. Basically, i need to return the laptop to what it was before i loaded my stuff on it.

Answer 1

Step by Step Guide to Reformatting and Installing XP
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Insert the XP CD into the cd-rom and reboot


If you insert the XP disc while you are in XP, it will ask you if you want to reformat. Do not choose this option. Make sure to reboot!!! If you do not, it will try to reformat using the HDD for temporary files, and this will cause errors.


Press F12 at the dell logo to enter the one time boot sequence. Choose CD-Rom; reboot


Welcome Setup Screen ---- press enter to setup Windows XP


License Agreement ---- read if you want (although nobody does). Scroll down to the bottom, and press f8 to accept.


Previous XP detection ---- hit ESC to reformat and have a clean install of XP


Create/Delete & Choose a partition --- Create or delete any partitions (see previous post for more information) If you are unsure about partitioning, select the largest partition. Once you've made your selection, press enter.


Select NTFS or Fat32 ---- generally NTFS is mostly used, although either will work fine. If you would like a quick format, you will want to make choose one of the top 2 choices. Once you have made your decision, press enter


Format --- warning: this will delete all information on selected partition. Verify that you have selected the right partition. If you have the correct partition, press F. If not, press esc to go back to step 5.


Setup and Reboot --- does not require any user action. Leave CD in the drive after reboot.


XP Setup --- some questions will be asked (some of these might not apply depending on if you are installing Home or Pro edition)
Regional & Language Options --- select language (default: English)
Name --- enter your name (company: optional)
Enter CD Key --- located on the bottom of you laptop (right side towards the back)
Computer Name & Admin Password --- enter the name that you would like your laptop to be known as. Enter an admin password (can be left blank but for security reasons this is not the best option). Make sure to write down or have some way of remembering your admin password.
Date & Time Settings --- set the time & date to your local time
Network Setup --- if you are on a home network, use this setup to configure your laptop to connect to your home network. Otherwise, skip and go to the next step


During the setup process, it will say that it is installing applications takes about 30 minutes. These applications are standard XP applications -- not junkware.


Once the installation and format is complete, it will reboot and take you to the Welcome XP Screen which will ask you if you want to register with Microsoft or create any additional screen names.

Regards,
~hero~
Computer Engineer
Dubai, U.A.E
www.akbarthegreat.com

Answer 2

You cannot unless you format the entire drive, then reinstall the OS. You can do this by putting in the installation disk of Windows. On the drive selection, there is a "format" option. Click it and you will format the disk. You are now ready for a clean install. *Precaution* Formatting the disk will delete ALL data from the hard drive Hope this helps!

Answer 3

you can perform this task also with some softwares but if you want it simply done then put on your windows xp cd in the cd rom and the there the option to format your disk will come and there is all the guide to format your disk.

Answer 4

I can help