Formatting XP

joebhoy1916

I have a very annoying problem so im formatting my computer I want everything gone well not everything back to factory settings.

My computer was 98 but I had it updated to XP (I dont have disk)

I was on a website which solves problems for computers they gave a link
which I went to.

I downloaded format not sure the link but I had to use 6 floppys! But whenever I restart my computer and put it in disk it seems to be working ok it then says enter disk 2 and press ok but when I do this it freezes anyone any idea's?

aidan_walsh

What website?
What link?
Are you sure the floppy disk isn't write protected?

Do you still have the system restore disk that you got with the computer originally?

joebhoy1916

Not sure to be honest think it was somewhere on this site

http://www.karlsforums.com/forums/index.php

I have a disk says Norman AV
Bootdisk

I think its Anti-Virus but I tried this this and ran Format C: /s

But it said something like not enough memory

joebhoy1916

Not sure to be honest think it was somewhere on this site

http://www.karlsforums.com/forums/index.php

I have a disk says Norman AV
Bootdisk

I think its Anti-Virus but I tried this this and ran Format C: /s

But it said something like not enough memory

It was a windows site that I got the Format

Not sure what you mean by protection

Ponster

I don't understand.

You want to reinstall XP but you don't have the XP disk ?

Presuming that I misunderstood and you *do* have the XP install CD...

It's either a bootable disk or it isn't. If it's bootable then you just need to reboot your PC with the cd in the drive, no need for a floopy (you may have to check the bios to verify that your PC boots from the cd drive before the hard drive)
Or it's not a bootable and then you just need to boot up your computer and insert the Xp cd as soon as Windows has stopped loading and install Xp from there. Again, no need for a floppy.

You only need the 6 floppys if your PC doesn't support booting from a cd-rom (rare these days I'd imagine).

joebhoy1916

I havent got the CD disk

aidan_walsh

joebhoy1916 wrote:

I havent got the CD disk

So what were you going to install after you formatted the disk?

joebhoy1916

aidan_walsh wrote:

So what were you going to install after you formatted the disk?

A guy is coming down to put XP Pro on it.

I dont want everything gone just want it back the way I got it to factory settings becuase it's really fcuked up.

aidan_walsh

joebhoy1916 wrote:

A guy is coming down to put XP Pro on it.

I dont want everything gone just want it back the way I got it to factory settings becuase it's really fcuked up.

If he is coming down soon, just leave it. Back up what you want.

The XP disk will format the hard disk as part of the installation process.

joebhoy1916

aidan_walsh wrote:

If he is coming down soon, just leave it. Back up what you want.

The XP disk will format the hard disk as part of the installation process.

I already asked him about that but he said it just gets rid of all your songs and movis files!

I have no driver deleted it by accident and no IE cant update computer
when I download it, it says its already installed cant install but its not!

I have 3 XP disks.

One says WindowsCreativity Fun Packs
The other Software and Games
The other is PC Format with something like a space ship on the front.

But when I put the Format disk in or any of the disks it says it needs IE 5 or higher to run?

irlrobins

Back up all your movies and music. (Burn to CD is prob best). Then wait for your friend to come and install Windows for you. By the sound of it, you're prob not comfortable with installing an OS by yourself, so let him look after that.

Just backup any data you want to keep for now. Also make sure you have a valid licence for that copy of XP!

Ponster

These days you can just install XP over an existing version so you won't lose any data though you will have to reinstall all your programs.

But to be honest, saving what you can to dvd or an external hard drive and formatting the HD does seem to be the way to go with this one.

Skyuser

Dell has a really handy program where you can reset your computer back to the way it was when your first got it.

irlrobins

Yea use's a ghost image to restore everything to factory settings. Quick and easy to do. But unfortunately wipes all your files and progs you installed. Also puts back any of the crapware that Dell installed in the first place.