My computer is a mess!?

Question

How do i reformat my pc? My current OS is windows xp sp2 but it crashes alot due to an improper shutdown and some programs can't run anymore, I want to install just windows 2000 pro, is it possible? Are there horrible complications?

Answer 1

i agree with frank, i just switched to xp and can't see wanting to go back. just backup your data reformat and reload xp. if you really want 200pro just do the same back up your data reformat and re load no problem.

Answer 2

Did you use System Restore at any point to define a setback point when you activate it?

Secondly, it is time to save all valuable data you can't or don't want to lose or would have a hardship from losing like that. Note or bookmark what you need to recover programs, and save them (I don't know if they save correctly on a CD-R so I use floppies but I've never used better than 2000 Pro myself).

If you have a really way-out buddy that can restore your registry or find a program to help, you could have less trouble than you thought, but you say you have passed the Point Of No Return and have nothing Leftoverature (Kansas album joke I'm feeling your pain too), so let's go.

If you can now run the System Restore and reload or reinstall programs as needed.

If you have one or more CD-R/RW data recording management programs that allow drive imaging, you can save the image to CD (maybe DVD) and use it to recover your system as it was at a stable point, or a fancier way of doing "System Restore". It could be used to make several computers in your network run the same routines but there are some licensing issues and some software is not licensed for a network (AVG Free is one, for instance).

If you truly want to fall back on 2000 Pro, remember it has System Restore also, as does Me, but of course XP has more programming that may not filter down, Vista much less, and at some point you will have a working but obsolete technology in regards to programming.

To reinstall 2000 Professional all you have to do is set your computer to Boot from CD as the FIRST BOOT option, which is done basically with the keystroke the computer manufacturer/BIOS maker indicated (it differs but it's usually a function key like perhaps F8 or the Delete key press during the POST test before bootup). Insert the CD and save-exit setup to reboot. It will start the loading process and may ask you to continue (enter to affirm), run needed checks to confirn it will work on the space given and with the hardware, then it may also tell you the version of Windows you are installing is older than the current system-continue? (YES).

Any problem will halt the install and hopefully leave you with a recoverable XP system (nothing is gone until all installation options start to execute and if you were UPgrading you could've created a backup file to restore from--don't know about a DOWNgrade).

My best experience is that the two problems you could usually encounter during and installation are hardware (system) related and improper inflation of a CAB file due to dirty/damaged disk of corrupted data (Microsoft LOVES the words "corrupted file" as they are SO VAGUE). Try and keep the disc properly cleaned and as with all older titles no longer produced, at least 2 good backups (FOR YOURELF__HRRMPPH) for good measure.

Are all your system devices happy and running correctly, or if you look at you system details will you find bad drivers or conflicts? This will bring things to a halt quickly sometimes, or at least the wonderful Blue Screen Of DEATH. Learn what bugs GDI.EXE and numerous virtual driver files (.VXD) can indicate and how to fix the drivers or remove devices to eliminate trouble and install good stuff.

Windows XP has been around 6 years, and as such there a ton of groups and literature to fall back on for help.

Last but should be first, do you have Anti-virus protection that is up-to-date, all patches and updated browsers that you use? Is your firewall correctly installed and limiting port attacks etc as needed?

You can't get by without good tires on a car, nor can you leave your computer without security.

OH YEAH. Go back and reset the boot order if you wish when done but remember you can use the CD as a bootdisk so you might not need to.

Answer 3

You'll still have to reinstall your applications after installing Windows 2000.
You'll probably exert the same effort, so you might as well do a clean install of XP and sp2, and clean up the hard drive in the process.

Answer 4

If you have the windows 2000 pro disk, this can be done. Go to www.support.microsoft.com. You will find complete instructions there. Good luck.

Answer 5

by reformatting you mean like resetting it to old settings like how you bought it? hmmmm.... try going to the store that you got it from and tell them to try and reformat it if you cant then just delete everything but not everything like the system files and keep shutting it down properly

Answer 6

2000 pro works well, but mabe you should just reinstall XP

Answer 7

You will lose whatever is saved on your computer now, music, pics, docs, etc, and you will have to reinstall all the hardware/software, but it's not that big a deal to do.