can someone walk me through formating my computer please?

Question

I have all of my start up disks that came with my computer when I bought it. I know to back up anything I want t keep on disk or CD for now. I don't think I would need to download any drivers but I'm really really not sure. Could someone tell me how to format my computer? Thank you vary much!

Answer 1

If you are reinstalling Windows you will definitely need to acquire drivers. There should be a drivers disc included with the CDs that came with your computer.

Once you have finished backing up everything that you want to keep from your computer, just reboot the PC and boot from the Operating System CD, presumably Windows XP. During the beginning of the install process it will ask you where you want to install the operating system. In this context menu, there will be an option to format the hard drive (it will be called deleting the partition) . After you delete the partition you will be able to reformat it as NTFS. Just make sure that you don't choose NTFS (Quick Format) because this doesn't actually format your machine, it just deletes the MBR.

After the install completes (probably about an hour later) you should install all the additional drivers that your machine requires, if you don't have the discs, you can use windows update to acquire these.

Good luck and happy reformatting.

Answer 2

It's a good idea to download the drivers for your ethernet. That way, if they aren't built into Windows, you can download the rest of your drivers later. Find the CD with Windows on it. Put it in the drive before the computer starts to boot Windows. You need to boot from your Windows CD. It should bring up the Windows Setup page, tell it to install a new copy of Windows rather than attempt to repair the existing copy. Where it asks you to pick a partition, select your C: partition and delete it. Then choose your new free space and install Windows to it. It will ask if you want to perform a full format or quick format. Be as destructive as you wish.

Answer 3

First question... which operating system are you going to install?? (If it is Win XP, read on)

When installing Win XP from cd, it will give you an option as to which partition to install it to. It also gives you the option to delete any current partitions the hard drive may have. If you delete all the partitions on the hard drive and make a new one, this will completely get rid of all software files that are on the hard drive. By making a new partition, this preps the hd for a fresh install. After which XP will automatically format the new partition and install itself for you ( I always make at least 2 partitions, one for the main use, and 1 small one (10 gigs or so) to store things on. Then I can re-install without using a cd next time or back up everything important without needing a CD or DVD burner.

After this, re-installing your driver s and most useful programs is a snap!

Answer 4

Put either the Windows CD or the Restore CD into the CD drive. Boot the computer so it starts off the CD. As it is going through the Windows install process (on a "real" Windows CD it is right after the F8 to agree to the license) it will ask if you want to format or partition the hard drive. Simply say yes, and it does it for you as part of the install.

After that, you just let Windows finish reinstalling.

Answer 5

If you have the restore disks for your pc, and you haven't added any hardware (like network cards, video cards) to your pc, AND you have backed up what you want to see again (make sure you aren't backing up to the same pc!)

Then take your first restore disk and boot the computer from it. You should get some warnings about losing data and you simply need to read the menus and directions on screen.

At some point, you may have to change disks and hit enter to continue.

When you have completed this process, I recommend you reconnect to the internet and run windows update, so that your pc is patched up with the latest fixes.

Answer 6

First off, I do not know which Operating System your computer came with; therefore, I'll assume you're gonna format it using Windows XP. If so, follow these instructions:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer and restart your computer.

2. If prompted to start from the CD, press SPACEBAR. If you miss the prompt (it only appears for a few seconds), restart your computer to try again.

3. Windows XP Setup begins. During this portion of setup, your mouse will not work, so you must use the keyboard. On the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.

4. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the PAGE DOWN key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then press F8.

5. This page enables you to select the hard disk drive on which Windows XP will be installed. Once you complete this step, all data on your hard disk drive will be removed and cannot be recovered. It is extremely important that you have a recent backup copy of your files before continuing. When you have a backup copy, press D, and then press L when prompted. This deletes your existing data.

6. Press ENTER to select Unpartitioned space, which appears by default.

7. Press ENTER again to select Format the partition using the NTFS file system, which appears by default.

8. Windows XP erases your hard disk drive using a process called formatting and then copies the setup files. You can leave your computer and return in 20 to 30 minutes.

9. Windows XP restarts and then continues with the installation process. From this point forward, you can use your mouse. Eventually, the Regional and Language Options page appears. Click Next to accept the default settings. If you are multilingual or prefer a language other than English, you can change language settings after setup is complete.

10. On the Personalize Your Software page, type your name and your organization name. Some programs use this information to automatically fill in your name when required. Then, click Next.

11. On the Your Product Key page, type your product key as it appears on your Windows XP CD case. The product key is unique for every Windows XP installation. Then, click Next.

12. On the Computer Name and Administrator Password page, in the Computer name box, type a name that uniquely identifies your computer in your house, such as FAMILYROOM or TOMS. You cannot use spaces or punctuation. If you connect your computer to a network, you will use this computer name to find shared files and printers. Type a strong password that you can remember in the Administrator password box, and then retype it in the Confirm password box. Write the password down and store it in a secure place. Click Next.

13. On the Date and Time Settings page, set your computer’s clock. Then, click the Time Zone down arrow, and select your time zone. Click Next.

14. Windows XP will spend about a minute configuring your computer. On the Networking Settings page, click Next.

15. On the Workgroup or Computer Domain page, click Next.

16. Windows XP will spend 20 or 30 minutes configuring your computer and will automatically restart when finished. When the Display Settings dialog appears, click OK.

17. When the Monitor Settings dialog box appears, click OK.

18. The final stage of setup begins. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows page, click Next.

19. Follow the On-Screen Instructions from here.

Answer 7

Doing good BACK UPs is step ONE.

Now, read the PC User Manual, the Recovery procedure (with included drivers) is all explained there.

Answer 8

you may set up all classes like ms workplace & others lower back if u format the device. you will possibly no longer concern suitable to the vista through fact the difficulty is for 3 diverse laptop's no longer thrice in one laptop, despite the fact that in case you have such issues after formatting the Sys you are able to recover from it via contacting the microsoft shopper care & they help you in case you have the unique CD of microsoft for all time so do no longer concern & its your appropriate additionally....

Answer 9

if you have bootable CD put in this your CDrom and restart computer.
and before startup press "Delete" key or "F1"
it's can run boos setting
then looking boot drive ,
setting it CDrom,
save your setting
restart computer
and folw the cd menu to format