computer crashing..need help please..

[Guest]

computer crashed about a month ago...After many hours I was able to format
and reinstall xp...I think it is crashing again as I am getting the blue
screen and occasionally a "no boot device detected" black screen. Before I
reformat again, can someone direct me in formatting correctly...my kids put
only a few of their software games back on and the computer is saying it is
out of space(11% free)it won't allow defrag due to lask of space.....I think
when I formatted I didn't partition something right??? Before the crash
there was 65% free space and tons more software on the hard drive..I think I
understand how to use the CD to reload windows, just don;t understand what
partitioning is and how to do it...thanks in advance...I am not completely
computer illiterate, but this has me quite confused, as I thought when I
formatted, all the hard drive would be empty and back to lots of free space??

Sandie

 

[peter]

here is how to do a completely clean install
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
peter

 

[Guest]

Peter, thank you for that, and I did do that all the first time, however, I
still don't understand what I did wrong with the formatting/partioning
thing...why do I have so much less space now..I am afraid when I go to do
this again, I'll do the same thing..My FAT system only has 32 MB and it is
saying that the Local Disk NTFS has only 6.86 GB left with total of 55.8
GB...I don't understand that..why is there so much less space than before I
did the clean install? Any more help on this issue woudl be much appreciated.
Thanks again.
Sandie

 

[John John]

When you get to the screen asking you where you want to install XP,
delete ALL the partitions (Press L) then create one new partition with
all the available disk space (Press C). Exit and restart the setup
program, that will avoid potential drive letter mix ups when Windows is
installed. When you get to the screen again do a FULL NTFS format on
the drive. It goes without saying that all the data on the drive will
be lost. If you have a special recovery partition on the drive it too
will be lost. Before you reinstall check the cables going to the hard
drive, reseat them to make sure that they aren't loose. If you get
repeated "no boot device detected" errors do a check on the drive with
disk diagnosis utilities available from your disk manufacturer. Also,
consult the documentation that came with your computer to see if you
have to install other drivers for your drive controller.

John

 

[Guest]

John...Thank you!! That should help me..I'll give this a try...loading the
drivers last time gave me some headaches, but we'll give it a go 1 more time
before giving up on this computer!

 

[Guest]

Adding to all advice you got, try to read this link and prepare yourself to
do a successful Clean Installation.
Here is a link to prepare yourself fro clean install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

HTH.
Let us know
nass
www.nasstec.co.uk