reformating a XP HD

moet · August 9th, 2003, 08:11 AM

my girlfriend just got a dell computer and its all messed up we need to reinstall windows xp and reformat the HD how and the hell do you start up form a windows XP cd? reinstalling XP didnt work i really need to reformat the HD and reinstall any one have a clue?

wju425 · August 9th, 2003, 09:29 AM

Welcome to TechIMO.

In the bios, set your boot order to this: cd, floppy, hard drive (0). Put the cd in and reboot. There will be instructions listed for you to work with. Good luck and enjoy your stay here.

\o/ Billy

shahani · August 9th, 2003, 09:41 AM

You must have the set of restore CDs also. If you want the PC brought up to the same condition it was when you got it. Formatting will involve installing windows, each application, drivers.....

Do you have the application CDs separate?

If you are new to all this, set your PC to boot from the CD drive and put in the first restore CD and follow on-screen instructions.

moet · August 9th, 2003, 09:44 AM

how do I set it to boot from CD

shahani · August 9th, 2003, 09:46 AM

Start up your pc and press delete to enter BIOS set up. Look at the various options and you'll see boot device order.

I think in Dell, pressing delete may not work. Try F2 or F10.

shahani · August 9th, 2003, 09:48 AM

As you start up the PC, you'll see in the lower left hand corner some instructions on how to enter set up. Or if you can't enter set up lok at the documentation.

Scott Tiger · August 9th, 2003, 09:49 AM

When the machine boots up to the Dell logo look for either the option to boot to "Boot Options" or "Setup". It should be in one of the corners of the display and read something like this:

Boot Options = F11
Setup = F2

Once you selected one or the other select CD as the boot device and then boot to it. You'll walk through a wizard that will restore the computer to it's orginal state for you.

ryu_2083 · August 15th, 2004, 04:23 AM

undefinedundefinedundefined

hi guys. PLease help me with my problem,. i would appreciate it so much if you can give me suggestions, advices, guides, etc.
here it is:
i got a laptop from a friend. it's compaq evo, os XP prof, didnt have a floppy drive but has dvd drive. when i turn it on, it prompts for some kind of a log for a LAN before it proceeds to Windows proper. it wouldnt cancel out, insists on logging.
This laptop was just found by my friend, didnt know whom it belonged to because no info was found with it.
now we wanted to use it but cant because of the log required. we are considering reformatting it but dont know how to. i know it needs some kind of floppy disk to restore it, but we dont have it.
please help us.thanks!

VHockey86 · August 15th, 2004, 04:29 AM

ugh, plz try to make a new thread rather than replying to one from over a year ago =)
Just click "forums", select a forum, and then press the "new topic" button
Thanks.

Michael Chiew · August 15th, 2004, 10:10 AM

moet

Here is a simpler way to get your re-installation going.

Click START, select RUN. In the RUN dialog box, type: cmd.

You'll get into the Command Prompt. You should see something like this:

C:\>

This is your C:\ drive (primary drive). Here, type this:

C:\>CD \i386 (and ENTER).

You should now be in this directory:

C:\i386\>

If so, type:

C:\i386\>Winnit32 (and ENTER)

Setup will begin a re-installation of Windows XP.

A word of caution about re-formatting your hard disk. Be prepared for re-activation of the OS. You might want to call up DELL support and ask the people there about re-activation, if any.

Michael Chiew