Please can anyone elaborate the steps for formatting my computer?

Question

Hello folks! I am using Windows XP SP 2. This is the first time I shall be formatting my computer. I do have all my Microsoft and HP recovery Cds.

Please explain the process for formatting the computer in detail.

Thank you for your answer.

Answer 1

The Steps:



1. From within Windows, click the Start button and select Run. When the Run dialog box appears, enter FDISK into the Open box and click OK.



2. When FDISK starts (in a DOS window), you'll be asked if you want to enable large disk support. Answer Yes.



3. The FDISK menu is now displayed. Select the drive you want to partition, and then choose option 1 (Create DOS Partition or Logical DOS Drive).



4. When asked if you want to use the entire drive for your DOS partition, answer Yes. (If you're asked whether you want to enable FAT32 support, also answer Yes.)



5. After the partition is created, follow the onscreen prompts to exit FDISK and restart your computer.



6. After your new drive has been partitioned, you have to format it for use. To format a new hard drive manually





The Steps for Formatting The C Drive in DOS:



1. If you installed a new C drive and you need to formatting the C drive, you need to boot-up from a boot floppy disk and use DOS to format the C drive. Start or boot-up your computer using a startup boot disk. If your new hard drive has a utilities disk use it to format your new drive. Optional: you can use the Ultimate Boot Disk Software here.



2. Use your floppy boot disk to start your computer. Put your boot disk in your disk drive and start the computer. The screen should show the A:\ prompt.



Warnings: The format procedure deletes all files on the hard disk, This action is not reversible.



3. Now type in FORMAT C: /S /V

This command formats the hard disk, transfers the appropriate system files to make it a startup disk, and prompts you for a new name. The /S command tells DOS to copy two hidden files and COMMAND>COM to the drive. The /V command is optional, it allows you to enter a volume label that is displayed at the top of the directory list to help you id the disk.



4. You need to enter the new disk name. The hard drive is now bootable. Now eject the boot floppy disk and restart your computer. The hard drive is ready to use, You can install a new OS, Windows. Remember to come back to WebTechGeek.com for more How to tips!



Note: It's important that the boot disk has the same version of DOS that's on your hard drive. Use the VER command at the DOS prompt to display the current version of DOS.







Windows - Second Drive Format Steps:



First make a Startup Disk: To create a Startup Disk, click the Add/Remove Programs icon in Windows Me/98 Control Panel. WebTechGeek.com



1. You can start by double-clicking on the My Computer icon. Now click the second drive icon to select it.



2. Now open the File menu and select Format. The format window should displays the hard disk capacity.



3. You need to select Format type and enter a disk label (name). If you want to Boot up from your second drive, you need to check the "Copy system files" box.



4. Now click Start. Windows displays a warning box. After you read the warning, and then click OK to begin formatting. Warnings: The format procedure deletes all files on the hard disk, This action is not reversible. Be sure to back up any files you want to keep.

Answer 2

there is no elaborate process..just a couple of simple steps.. before doing this, do take a back-up of whatever you need as afetr formatting it will be lost for ever.



1. open My computer

2. right click on the drive you want to format [formatting individual drives is efficient and quicker]

3. choose the option "Format" from the drop-down menu.

4. a small window opens, here select your preferences and click ok.



your job will be done. cheers!

Answer 3

There are two ways of doing this

1. Boot the system with WinXP bootable CD. This will provide option for selecting drive for installing WinXP and you also got option of formatting drive befor installing WinXP. And other way is

2. Go to 'Computer Management' from control panel. (Or do right click on MyComputer icon and click 'Manage'). Open 'Disk Management', you can see all drives in right hand panel. Right click on desired drive and click format.

Answer 4

Dear, u need not do any formating and partition process for installing the XP you just need to insert a windows XP bootable disk in to the CD rom and reboot the system. then the windows XP will guide you through the process. it includes all formatting and partition making options in it.

Answer 5

i guess HP is easy to reformat since all you have to do is restart then press a button (C i guess) then it proceeds into its formatting..all you have to do is insert the proper CD/DVD and it automatically does it...