Reformating Comp

[Mad-Mike]

Hello, i hear most ppl reformat there comps to keep them smooth etc,
so i really want to do this but i have no idea what to do, do i need a certain disc to do this? if so wher can i get this from ?

[Tofurkeymeister]

Reformat = Reinstalling Windows. EVERYTHING IS LOST UNLESS BACKED UP. It is faster, but this is due to the fact that the Operating system has been reinstalled.

[llPANCHOll]

Hello, i hear most ppl reformat there comps to keep them smooth etc,
so i really want to do this but i have no idea what to do, do i need a certain disc to do this? if so wher can i get this from ?

Trust me, just because of the way you asked the question, you dont want to do this.

How about you start by De-Fragmenting your hard drive,

All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/ Disk Defragmenter

[Ghostrider]

Hello, i hear most ppl reformat there comps to keep them smooth etc,
so i really want to do this but i have no idea what to do, do i need a certain disc to do this? if so wher can i get this from ?

The reason people take this approach is because it's just like having a 'factory' setting. Keep in mind that what Tofurkeymeister said is right.


This is a short summary and is not that detailed, but it should help you know what the road ahead looks like..

• Create a backup of all your important documents, pictures, and other programs that you have (perhaps also stored passwords -in firefox- and other stuff). Make sure this backup is NOT in the drive you want to format
• After the backup is done look for the disc of the Operating System that you want to install (whatever that OS is you need to have installation media). If it's Windows, then you should've received a CD/DVD of the OS when you bought the PC (after all, you did pay for the OS when you bought the system). Make sure you have the CD key (usually a fancy label. If you don't have the cd key, find it before you start.
• Place the OS disc in the drive and reboot the PC. The PC should automatically boot (or start) from the disc. If it doesn't then you need to enter the BIOS and change the boot order. Changing the boot order tells the PC what areas to look at (in order) when trying to search for boot-able media. If no boot-able media is found, it boots the OS from the HDD, but if there's boot-able media in the cd drive, it should start from there. Just make sure the CD is checked before the HDD in the boot order.
• Follow the instructions that get displayed on screen and good luck.

~xghost();

[martov]

thats the begining, you will have a nightmare with antivirus, drivers, net configuration, office suite and everithing else... its not THAT simple in some cases, trust me, look to someone that has a bit more experience with this. let him show you.. (friend or family)

[MAINERROR]

Well imo the best way learning thins is learning-by-doing. So I'd say just go ahead and try it. If you make a mistake you can always correct it.

[Mad-Mike]

Ok thanks for the help lads, im going to buy a USB 800GB hard drive first so i can put the important things on it. like PR

any more info would be great!

cheers mike.

[MAINERROR]

Which OS are you going to install?

[Robbi]

Stuff like games and such can become not playable after an install as you loose key registry entries. So back up the installers instead of teh game

[Mad-Mike]

Which OS are you going to install?

Not sure which one i want yet, thinking about keepin XP but i like the look of Windows 7

Stuff like games and such can become not playable after an install as you loose key registry entries. So back up the installers instead of teh game

thats what i was going to do mate, i always save the installers of important things especially if theyre a big size.