Reformat..

HazeHaze O RLY? Join Date: 2003-07-07 Member: 18018Members, Constellation
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Can someone help?</div> I need some major help, I've got more computer problems than Joan Rivers has gotten face lifts, and its to the point where I need to reformat. Problem is, every time I reformat (and repartitian) my harddrive, nothing is erased! All I'm left with is a seemingly clean install of windows with all the programs shortcuts deleted. Can anyone give me a step by step instruction to reformatting correctally (I could be doing it wrong) or some tools that I can download to finish this beast off once and for all?

<span style='font-size:6pt;line-height:100%'><b>FINE PRINT: Please note, my computer knowledge is limited to knowing how to play games, surf the net, and use some programs, no technical stuff included. I wouldnt know a mommabyte from a giggahurt or what have you. Try to baby this stuff down for me, please!</b></span>
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Comments

  • RatonetwothreetwooneRatonetwothreetwoone Join Date: 2004-03-23 Member: 27504Members
    <!--emo&::marine::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    <a href='http://cyberwalker.net/faqs/how-tos/reinstall-faq.html' target='_blank'>http://cyberwalker.net/faqs/how-tos/reinstall-faq.html</a>
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  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    Assuming that you have a pre-built computer (Dell, HP, Compaq, eMachines, etc...) you're probably using the "Factory Restore" disc, or something similarly titled. I haven't ever had one, but from my understanding, what it does it return everything to their default settings when they left the factory, which reinstalls any bundled programs, I believe. You'll need to obtain an actual OS CD to format. (I'd like to recommend XP Pro, if your computer is up to scratch.)

    Otherwise, you're probably just choosing "Upgrade". If you're not using Win2K/WinXP, I think that you need to make a boot disk and use fdisk to format the drive before you can reinstall Windows properly.

    Take a look at <a href='http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/OSguides.htm' target='_blank'>Black Viper's operating system guides</a> for a step-by-step walkthrough.
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  • WishCowWishCow Join Date: 2004-08-22 Member: 30789Members
    If you are using XP:
    Put in your xp cd, set cd-rom as first boot device, then the xp install will come up when the computer starts. (you will have to press a button when it says "press a button now to boot from cdrom)
    After a while, you will see the partitions on your hdd, just delete the partition, and recreate it. (don't worry it's easy)
    If you are not using XP:
    Get a win98 boot floppy, set floppy as first boot device, boot up, then when the loading finishes, type format c: (assuming C is the drive you want to format),
    then floppy out, OS cd in, set cdrom as first boot device and install OS.
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