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reformat

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by backer, 2007/01/25.

  1. 2007/01/25
    backer

    backer Inactive Thread Starter

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    how do i reformat my computer?
    i wanna wipe everything off it and reinstall everything
    please if anyone knows let me know
     
    backer,
    #1
  2. 2007/01/25
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    Best way is to boot to a DOS Floppy that contains FORMAT and run it from there.

    Just need to be sure that each partition is done if there is more than one.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
    #2


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  4. 2007/01/25
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    BillyBob's instruct is for windows 98, that method can be done for XP, but is not necessary because XP will only format it again as the first step of the XP install.

    It depends on what operating system you have.
    If you have XP, then you just boot from the XP cd and follow the prompts and instructions. The best way would be to delete the existing XP partition, follow the instructions to create a new one, then install to that. XP will format it for you.

    If your cpmputer came w/ a "restore" cd then put it in & reboot. It will erase everything and reinstall.

    BACK UP IMPORTANT DATA BEFORE DOING THIS!
     
    TonyT,
    #3
  5. 2007/01/26
    Chiles4

    Chiles4 Inactive

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    If you're using the NTFS file system, AFAIK, the WinXP CD will be the ONLY thing that will be able to format your drive using NTFS.

    IIRC, the downside to doing this is that after the XP cd formats your drive, you have no option to exit - it just immediately goes forward with the install.

    Up until about a year ago, I only used FAT32 and the floppy method described by BillyBob was very convenient.

    If you have a second partition, you can format it after you have XP installed on the C: partition.
     
    Chiles4,
    #4
  6. 2007/01/26
    Dcrypter

    Dcrypter Inactive

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    If you really want to start fresh get the Ultimate Boot CD. It contains shred utilities. A shred can take a long time but you dont have to worry about any rogue data from coming back. Plus a shred will go through your hard drive and if there is any problems you will know about them before you even start install software again.
     
    Dcrypter,
    #5

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