formate a computer ?

Question

Before i start to formate my PC , where i can find my driveres to save it on CD and use it later ( is there any other file or folder i should to save it before i start to formate my PC . many thanks

Answer 1

Sam,

Before you format your computer, be sure you get the necessary drivers and burn them to CD if possible. You can usually find them at the PC manufacturer's website.

Answer 2

Aha, now here is something I know well. I bought a Gateway 709jp about 2 years back & every single person in the shop said it's impossible to have a working English system on this computer. Though it was a pain in *** proved them wrong. I’ve got a perfect English XP and no errors what so ever. But like you had to format the drive only to find out I need the correct drivers for the modem to work and the XP disk couldn’t find them. So ended up putting the Japanese version back then downloading the drivers from there. It's that I recommend you download first cause this can be the life-saver. Download anything else you can too, to save time like the latest graphics card drivers, audio ect. Then copy to disk or do what I do and put onto your D: Now once you've installed your system go to control panel, system, and hardware then Device manager. In there you will see everything your computer has. Right click properties and you'll see update drivers. Press that and it will with a new install give you the option to update every time from the internet. Press yes and you'll manage to update virtually everything. Ignore these people who say download this legal and that cause it's just their way to try use your stress to make them more rich out of greed. I had to learn all this in Japan with no help so spent years studying this pal so help it works.
Btw Microsoft actually recommends reinstalling a new system once a year, but you won't hear these greedy people trying con you into buying their stuff.
And yeah just incase copy the windows drivers folder as mentioned.
Pz and good luck pal.

Answer 3

You should take an inventory of all the optional equipment and software you are now possessed. Like others have advised you should save all the drivers before you start formatting you harddrive. If you are upgrading your existing laptop, you may want to invest a harddrive adapter. You will be much happier that you know what you may missed. You may want to purchase Norton Ghost v.12 if you are not planning to upgrade an operating system. If you are, you will definitely need to copy all these files and drivers in some other media. Good luck!

Answer 4

To the point, there is no system files you need to keep when you're about to format your computer. But if you have important files in it, besides keeping it in a CD I recommend getting a new flash disk, just for backup. Store everything in your flash disk and then format your computer.

Mostly it is safe. But if you forgotten to back up any other important file the only thing you can do is bringing it to a data recovery center and it doesn't cost a little. I recommend making a checklist of everything.

I've done it hundreds of times, as my laptop gets 6 years old this November :).

Answer 5

Is there some reason why you want to format? I think most users would agree that this is the "fix" of last resort. There are some "Windows Repair" options available for you.

If you format, your hard drive will be wiped clean. Any programs for which you do not have the CDs will be lost to you unless you legally purchased them and can go to the manufacturer for a download.

All files you created will be lost unless you copy/backup them to some sort of external storage like a portable hard drive or flashdrives.

Here is information on repair and format:

WindowsXP System Restore – excellent link – explains with graphics
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

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

Format the Hard Drive
http://www.ehow.com/how_6026_format-hard-drive.html

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

Answer 6

well if you have the recovery cd that came with your computer, you're all set because that usually loads everything onto your computer automatically. but i've ran into some dells where one cd is recovery and another is drivers, so you should just check your cd pack that came with your computer for the driver disc, if you lost it somehow, you can usually find the drivers for your computer online...so you can download them first, burn them to a cd, and then reformat and install them.

Answer 7

If you're using XP, save Windows\System32\Drivers.

You'll also want to save any personal files and folders.

Answer 8

As above

Answer 9

if you are askin for the motherboard drivers.... you can download it from the manufacturers..... just search it.... you need the motherboard product name..... it is written in the motherboard... you have to search it on yahoo....

Answer 10

Try going here on your computer...

C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers