Hey guys and dolls! Well, its time that I reformat the laptop. Firstly, I need to know the best way/quickest way to backup my harddrive. 2nd, I need to learn/know HOW to reformat the laptop. The only disc that came with the laptop was a Reinstallation DVD (of winxp) for Dell computers.
HELP!!!!! :-)
Thanks so much!!
2007-09-30 18:52:41 · 3 answers · asked by babagirls18 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
I DON'T HAVE ANY VIRUSES. I just want my machine to run top-notch like it did when it was brand new.
2007-09-30 19:20:50 · update #1
******WOULD IT BE EASIER JUST TO BUY ANOTHER HARDRIVE AND JUST SWITCH THE OLD WITH THE NEW??*****
2007-09-30 19:37:51 · update #2
All you need to 'backup' is the files you want to keep, as all programs themselves will need to be reinstalled. That said, finding all the files will be a chore, they are not in one place!
Under Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, there is a Files and Settings Transfer wizard, but it doesn't get everything!!!
Take the whole folder from Docs & Settings of your user login. Changed the folder options to see all files types first so you can see hidden files or you might not be able to get all the files.
You'll also want all data files from anywhere on the drive that you've created folders, or programs have stores files.
It will probably take hours to find everything. Also look in Device Manager and make not of all the devices on the PC, like the type of network card, modem, etc.
Once you are comfy you have all the files, simply boot from an XP CD, have it delete the partition(s). It will then format and install XP.
I'd suggest you get a pro to help if all this is greek to you.
2007-09-30 19:11:07 · answer #1 · answered by Jim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How will this help you? If you have a virus you will most likely inadvertadly back up the virus if your machine is running slow saving the settings and programs and reformatting won't help you either. The best way to back up your computer is to di it the hard way, drag and drop. If you have a DVD-RW as your optical drive you can probably selectively backup just about everything you want to keep ignoring what you don't, Chances are your recovery disk includes all of your drivers so all you will have to do is reboot the computer with the disk in your optical tray at which the computer SHOULD selectively boot off the cd-rom rather then your hard drive select factory default installation and this will blow it all away.
2007-09-30 19:11:19 · answer #2 · answered by silencetheevil8 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On maximum Dell's you could hit f11 at startup and it will do a production facility fix... What this implies is it's going to be precisely like it became while it got here out of the field.... wish This facilitates!
2016-12-14 04:28:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋