clean computer

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kathy said:
I want to clean off my computer re install windows how do i start
Click to expand...


Just boot from the Windows XP CD (change the BIOS boot order if necessary to
accomplish this) and follow the prompts for a clean installation (delete the
existing partition by pressing "D" when prompted, then create a new one).

You can find detailed instructions here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

or here http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

or here http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

However why do you want to reformat and reinstall? In my view, it's usually
a mistake. With a modicum of care, it should never be necessary to reinstall
Windows (XP or any other version). I've run Windows 3.0, 3.1, WFWG 3.11,
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP, each for the period of
time before the next version came out, and each on two machines here. I
never reinstalled any of them, and I have never had anything more than an
occasional minor problem.

It's my belief that this mistaken notion stems from the technical support
people at many of the larger OEMs. Their solution to almost any problem they
don't quickly know the answer to is "reformat and reinstall." That's the
perfect solution for them. It gets you off the phone quickly, it almost
always works, and it doesn't require them to do any real troubleshooting (a
skill that most of them obviously don't possess in any great degree).

But it leaves you with all the work and all the problems. You have to
restore all your data backups, you have to reinstall all your programs, you
have to reinstall all the Windows and application updates,you have to locate
and install all the needed drivers for your system, you have to recustomize
Windows and all your apps to work the way you're comfortable with.

Besides all those things being time-consuming and troublesome, you may have
trouble with some of them: can you find all your application CDs? Can you
find all the needed installation codes? Do you have data backups to restore?
Do you even remember all the customizations and tweaks you may have
installed to make everything work the way you like? Occasionally there are
problems that are so difficult to solve that Windows should be reinstalled
cleanly. But they are few and far between; reinstallation should not be a
substitute for troubleshooting; it should be a last resort, to be done only
after all other attempts at troubleshooting by a qualified person have
failed.

If you have problems, post them here; it's likely that someone can help you
and a reinstallation won't be required.
 
As well as the link that Ken has given you, you can also find an illustrated
guide to installing XP on my website:
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_install_windows_xp.htm

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
Thanks Ken. If you are interested there is also an illustrated guide to
installing Windows Vista on my Vista Support website
http://vistasupport.mvps.org

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
Ken,

You struck a nerve with your response...you're dead-on when you say that
most OEM tech support personnel don't possess the technical knowledge to
troubleshoot, and therefore support, Windows issues. And for it because I
completely agree with you that I feel Mr. Gates needs to re-address
Microsoft's policies with respect to support for ALL Windows products. I'd
gladly PAY for support, regardless of the source, as long as it's accurate
and effective. Yet Microsoft does even offer this option for OEM versions of
Windows...which bounces the user back into the OEM's court...
Someday, someone is going to invent a better mouse trap....or operating
system. And I hope it takes the market by storm.
 
Mark said:
You struck a nerve with your response...you're dead-on when you say
that most OEM tech support personnel don't possess the technical
knowledge to troubleshoot, and therefore support, Windows issues.
Click to expand...


When you consider that you can buy a complete OEM computer, with Windows,
for a little more than $350 these days, it's hard to imagine that the OEM
can afford to invest much in providing support. The support tech can't be
paid very much and has to be trained to look up the customer's symptoms, and
if they can't be found, quickly suggest reformatting and reinstalling. Doing
much more than that is cost-prohibitive. The only way an OEM could afford to
provide really useful support would be to pay for well-trained techs, and to
be willing to keep them on the phone with you for as long as it takes to fix
the problem. But that would translate into higher purchase costs.

And
for it because I completely agree with you that I feel Mr. Gates
Click to expand...


Mr. Gates is hardly even involved anymore.

needs to re-address Microsoft's policies with respect to support for
ALL Windows products. I'd gladly PAY for support, regardless of the
source, as long as it's accurate and effective. Yet Microsoft does
even offer this option for OEM versions of Windows...which bounces
the user back into the OEM's court...
Click to expand...


If it were my choice, there would be no such thing as an OEM version of
Windows. All versions would be retail copies, and the licensing rules and
support terms would be the same for everyone. That would undoubtedly mean a
considerably higher up-front cost for most computer purchasers, so it would
be a very unpopular change, and it's highly unlikely to happen.

Even though the up-front cost would be higher, I think the long-term cost to
the customer would be lower, so I think it's a better way to go. I'm not
holding my breath, though.
 
kathy,

You haven't stated why you believe that you need to re-install Windows. I
have been one of our computer club's House Call volunteers for 5 years now
averaging 7 calls a week. I have never re-installed Windows, except in the
event of hardware error.

What problem are you trying to resolve.
 
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