How can I get windows XP software to format my computer again?

Answer 1

Follow these steps, this is for both a desktop and laptop


Reformatting the hard drive
Reformatting a hard drive should be considered as the last resort in resolving a problem with a computer system. The hard drive can be reformatted and the operating system reinstalled, using the PC System Recovery Suite on the hard drive. Reformatting the hard drive will overwrite all the data on the drive. To preserve the data, backup all user data like; letters, spreadsheets, graphics, and e-mails to an external storage device before reformatting the drive. If the PC is not operating in the Windows operating system, see Reformatting from the recovery disks .
Do the following actions to reformat the hard drive and reinstall the operating system.
Connect PC to the AC power adapter.
Close all programs.
Click Start, click All Programs, select System Recovery, and click PC Recovery.
When the recovery options are presented, select the option to perform the PC Recovery and click Next.
The PC will restart.
When the Welcome to PC Recovery message displays, click OK to continue.
On the System Recovery panel, select System Recovery. By default, the system will perform a complete reformat and will destroy all user data.
Restart the PC when prompted.
As an alternate method to the steps above, click Advanced Options, and select the Destructive Recovery option, and click Next to begin the reformatting process.
The PC is in the original factory condition and all system data, such as location and date must be reconfigured.

or

Reformatting from the recovery disks
Reformatting a hard drive should be considered as the last resort in resolving a problem with a computer system. The hard drive can be reformatted and the operating system reinstalled, using the set of recovery disks. Reformatting the hard drive will overwrite all the data on the drive. To preserve the data, backup all user data like; letters, spreadsheets, graphics, and e-mails to an external storage device before reformatting the drive.
Do the following actions to reformat the hard drive and reinstall the operating system from the set of recovery disks.
Connect PC to the AC power adapter.
Open the disk drive, insert the first disk in the set of recovery disks, and close the disk drive.
Turn off the PC.
Press the Power button to start the PC and immediately press the F11 key.
The PC begins operation from the disk and performs tests on the hard drive. After a short delay, a black screen, with a message, is displayed. If the C:\ drive and the special recovery partition are intact, three options are available:
Press 'R' for standard System Recovery options .
Press 'F' to format the hard drive and reinstall the original factory settings. All data will be lost!
Press 'Q' to Quit this menu.
WARNING: If the disk tests indicate that the operating system is not installed or the drive is corrupted, the only option presented is to perform a full system recovery. This option will reformat the drive and destroy all the user data.

Select the format option by pressing F.
NOTE: Reformatting the hard drive may take 30 minutes or more to complete.

When the disk is reformatted and the operating system is reinstalled, the PC is in the original factory condition and all system data, such as location and date must be reconfigured.

Answer 2

the best way is to boot your computer with a windows 98 boot disk and in ms-dos you need to type "format c:" without " and to press enter , the computer will ask if you are sure that you want to format, and you must chose yes, you must do this with every disk or partition, oh, and by the way c: is the drive letter for example for drive letter D you will type format d: and after this you can install the operation system again.

Answer 3

I'm unclear as to what you are asking:
- do you have the software and want to know how to format,or
- do you need the software to be able to format?

The only way to get the software is to buy it. You cannot "borrow" a friend's CD because it will contain information unique to the friend's computer. This information will not match yours, therefore, it will either not install, or will install and you will be advised to buy a license.

If you have the CD and want to know how to format:

How to Perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of WindowsXP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

How to Perform a clean WindowsXP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

If you think you can repair the problem:

WindowsXP Repair Explained
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/options_to_use_when_a_system_will_not_start.mspx?mfr=true

WindowsXP Repair Tools
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:

http://www.download-download-this.com/4.html?OVRAW=Windows%20Installer%20corrupted&OVKEY=window%20installer&OVMTC=advanced

Fix and/or Repair Windows
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
http://www.onsitechicago.com/support/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=23&nav=0

Answer 4

just use the windows xp install disk and do a fresh install which will give you the option to delete the partition and format the drive. you cannot format a root drive with xp up.

Answer 5

Make sure you can boot from a CD. Check your bios by hitting F10, F2 esc, etc and see if you can boot from CD first. After that, it will ask you to reinstall Windows, repair or format the drive. Remeber to back up your data.

Answer 6

properly buddy i will decrease than stand Ur subject yet one element that as quickly as u start up Ur workstation sis u press f8 or any key tell by the bios which will go with the boot determination menu then verify in that if the puzzlingcontinual is detected or no longer if so then the subject alongside with the CD replace the CD and attempt or it somewhat is conceivable that Ur puzzlingcontinual get fail if it does not detected on the boot time or boot by Linux and verify whether Ur puzzlingcontinual is okay or no longer as there is any subject in that it will at as quickly as supply an alert

Answer 7

put the cd in.. shut off computer..restart computer..and follow directions
go here for written directions.
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/wxpinstl.html
print them out..if you dont have a printer transfer the info to floppy or burn to cd . take it to library and print it out there..

Answer 8

just re install it, or use fdisk, fdisk is good for XP, aafter tyou creater a partition, you can format, or you dont have to, as you install XP, it will for mat it for you.

Answer 9

u need a windows OS disk for that. let me know if u need more help...

Answer 10

at a computer store