Starting Again From Scratch - Reinstall PC O/S

[tuky]

My laptop, and my desktop pc's are both that full of cr@p and performing so s l o w l y that I want to either buy new machines or start both of them again from scratch.

I can get a hold of XP prof at a reasonable rate, but how do I clean the whole thing up and then re-install the os?

I am worried that I will end up rendering the machine inoperable.

Does anyone have any info? any links etc that I can check out so I can perform this task myself?

What do I need to watch out for, tips etc.

Cheers folks.

[Tywais]

It is a little time consuming to try to outline the steps on the forum so go here:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

or

http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/pc_installi...dows_xp/phase1/

Before you begin these procedures, backup any data, docs, pictures you want on CD or Flash drive first. This includes e-mail and Favorites.

Edited October 15, 2005 by tywais

[buadhai]

Start Here

Been using them for over 21 years and never once had to reformat or reinstall....

One or two of these would look great in that new house of yours.

[Mali_in_CM]

This is the best guide I have seen. It's talking about w9x, but just stick with it. Instead of running SETUP, you run WINNT.

<a href="http://www.hexff.com/win98_install.php">Fresh Start</a><BR>

[Mali_in_CM]

Let's try that again.

http://www.hexff.com/win98_install.php

[AlexLah]

Just go into BIOS first and then make sure you boot up from CD as first option.

Go into Dos mode and type: format c: /U/S U stands for unconditional and the S will put the system files on it. Then when format is complete put Windows CD in tray and start up.

Make sure you have downloaded all updates and burned on cd so you can install.

Before connecting to the internet install a firewall and anti virus first.

KR,

Alex

[francois]

hi'

and don't forget to backup your windows validation key!

it's in doc and settings/all users/application data/microsoft/Data and it' called

"Windows Genuine Advantage" a "data.dat" file save it!

and your validation key too here : C:\Windows\System32\WPA\ "called" wpa.dbl SAVE it!

you may also want to backup the registry key of this activation key ...

regedit:/[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\Key-numbers and letters]

save it with the extension .reg, regedit menu / export.

and then burn all your drivers on a cd, easier to use

and have a good time

francois

ps; of course, restore the file saved after install. if you choose to run the reg file for activation, copy the file wpa.dbl in windows\system32 first and then double click on the reg file

[tuky]

wow, sounds like it will be easier just to buy a new pc...

I will keep you up to date with how it goes. At tthe moment it takes about 30 seconds for windows to come up, I am guessing that is not good.

[buadhai]

wow, sounds like it will be easier just to buy a new pc...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Which is why I made the purchase suggestion, above.

On one of my machines I'd do as follows:

1 - Insert System CD.

2 - Boot machine while holding "C" key. (Forces boot from CD.)

3 - Open Disk Utility and erase, reformat, partition the hard drive, if and as needed.

4 - Run the System installer.

5 - Reboot

6 - Run Software Update

You're all done....

No registry, no BIOS, no CD to burn, no command line entries.

[Ken]

But......as someone mentioned. Do think about making some kind of backup for your drivers, especially the non-Microsoft drivers. I have "played he11" trying to find some drivers after doing a fresh install. For example some computers have a built in sound card on the mainboards (motherboard) and you will need that manufacture's driver and if you don't know or didn't have a backup, then you can spend one heck of a lot of time searching the internet once you figure out exactly what kind of mainboard you have.

[chang]

Get the malware removed at one of the posts pinned at the top of this forum.

EDIT:

As you add more program, more of them want to start when booting up. So your slow boot time might not be an indication of bad, rather you might just have loads of legitimate programs wanting to start up straight away. Many of these programs can be removed from auto start, and you can start them as and when required.

Edited October 16, 2005 by chang

[astral]

Firstly go and buy Partition Magic.

Partition your hard disk for

C: Windows

D: Programmes

E: Data

Move all the Programme Files folder to D: (this saves all the programme defaults.

Ignore if you really want a clean start.

Move all your private files to E:

Now go ahead an install Windows on the C: drive.

When it asks if you want to format, say Yes.

It will only format the C partition.

When you install all the s/w make sure you put it on the D: drive, not the

C:

which is the default setting.

PM me if you want more help

[Buff-horns]

just change the hard drives they are cheap enough now. and you still have the old ones should any problmes occur

[Buff-horns]

wow, sounds like it will be easier just to buy a new pc...

I will keep you up to date with how it goes. At tthe moment it takes about 30 seconds for windows to come up, I am guessing that is not good.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

30 seconds is not excessive considering if you have a firewall such as zonealarm or whatever.