how can i format my computer and save data?

Question

hey pals...my computer(IBM R50e windows XP) is giving me some problem and i wud like to format it.
Now i also want to keep a backup of some of the data like "movies and music"
can u guys please help me out in this
plz answer my query step by step from the beginning as i dont know how to format the computer
please help

Answer 1

if u have a cd/dvd writer, back up all your files to a cd/dvd...
do you have an operating system installer like win xp?
if you have then get ready to format your computer..

insert your OS installer then restart your comp. hit F9 from your keyboard then boot from CD ROM... read and follow the instruction/option there..
good luck!

Answer 2

Move all of your personal data to an external medium such as an external hard drive or CD/DVD. Then put the restore disk that came with your computer into the CD drive and then restart you computer. The restore should walk you through reinstalling your system. You will need to reload all of your programs after you have done the restore.

Answer 3

you cannot format and save data.
You have to get your data off the drive first.
IBM Thinkvantage programs have a backup utility
You can write your data to a cdrw ( manually backup your data to a cd) or backup the entire hard drive with all your data on it - about 9 blank cd's.

then you press the blue IBM Access button when you turn ont he laptop, and you will get the recovery options.

You will only be able to restore to factory condition, and your existing data will be wiped. Unless you used the recovery tools to create a backup first.

IBM recovery will reload to factory, then you can run the restore utility to get your data back onto the laptop after the recovery to factory is completed.

bottom line, It's easier to just copy your data manually to blank cd's. then run the recovery, and then restore your data or just copy it to the hard drive from the cd.

Use Sonic, or one of the cd burning applications that came with the thinkpad to make your backups in windows.

Answer 4

You can't format the hard drive and keep the data (well, you can but then you would need some form of data recovery software and that can be a huge headache). What you need is to save your data to somewhere else (CD's, DVD's, flash drives, portable hard disks) and then reformat the drive and reinstall the operating system.

Answer 5

I have a ibm T43 I do not use anyl onger, Before I bought a new system I had issues and put the restore disk in and ran it as fix, It solved my issues without losing any data.......Put the disk in and restart and keep hitting F!! and it will promt for a command with options and do a repair.....

Answer 6

1st of all back up all the movies and music you want saved on CDs or external hard drives, etc.
Then look in the Help for how to use the built in recovery/restore partition

Answer 7

First use proper grammar so we can properly understand.
You need the restore cd that came with. Follow the instructions on the screen and then once its all done it will say to activate it, don't worry just use the cd key thats on your computer or activate it by the phone if it wont work. Then update it until its up to date.

Answer 8

1. before you format you need to do back up. start>programs>accessories>system tools>backup
or use nero for back or alcogol120 for all you back up needs.

one you back up on Cd-ROM.
then you can use ol' good DOS disk to format disk.

good luck and cheerz

Steven

Answer 9

Unhook everything and bring it to your nearest computer store, dig into your pocket and pay the man that paid for his knowledge!

Answer 10

burn off data you want to keep and take it to shop tech, let him or her reformat it, if you don't know how, this is best bet