I just recieved this HP laptop probably 2-3 years max old, and its got soo many virus' on it, so I'm trying to reformat it. How do I do that? Is it just a button? I dont have the original CD's for it...
Thanks
2007-02-12 13:21:05 · 5 answers · asked by christianpunkgirl 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
You can usually find the system discs for it. Unfortunatley there is no "button" to reformat them. System discs or windows discs are required to get the job done. I'm not sure about the HP but if there is a recovery partition you can use that. To see if you have one, goto MyComputer and you should see your Local Disk (C:) and then you will usually see something called RP (for Recovery Partition). If you have that, you can create system discs. Otherwise you will have to try to find them online (or buy them from HP's website).
2007-02-12 13:28:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't remove the CD creation program, you might still be able to create the install cd's (I'd kill the virus first of course).
HP might send you a replacement install disk, might want to ask.
Anyway, first get all your files off!!!!!!!! CD, external HD, however. There is NO reason to lose your files.
To reformat, start with the Windows CD in, select it during bootup. Then "delete" the partition(s), create a new one, and install Windows. It will walk you through the steps.
AT THIS POINT IT WOULD JUST BUY A NEW HARD DRIVE. Your drive is close to worn out anyway. Get a 5400rpm, 100gb or so. They are way easy to change out, probably 2 to 4 screws.
2007-02-12 21:28:28 · answer #2 · answered by Jim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No original cds? Then you will need to acquire a CD with Windows on it before you will be able to format. This be true unless there is a recovery partition on the laptop itself, though I am almost sure that even with the recovery partition you still need the CDs... when the computer boots, watch the screen carefully and look for recovery options and if you see them, press the key to start it... if you're licky you wont need the CDs...
last option is buying replacement CDs from HP.
2007-02-12 21:26:57 · answer #3 · answered by ghowriter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the very least you need a Windows XP install disk. You can run the Windows XP installation process by placing the CD in your drive and then boot from it, then run setup. It will ask you to setup a partition, then it will run the format utility.
2007-02-12 21:26:27 · answer #4 · answered by vincepram 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ur best bet.
2007-02-12 21:26:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋