Format HD

  • Thread starter Thread starter Marv
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M

Marv

I have a system running fully patched XP that I need to reformat and
reinstall XP. However, when I hold down F8 on startup to try to start in
command mode I get the screen showing the various options but I cannot move
the cursor from the default option by using the keyboard arrows. I tried
swapping keyboards but same results. It appears that the keyboard is
frozen.

Anyone know of another means of accomplishing this?

Marv
 
You don't need to start in "command mode" in order to re-format and
reinstall. Just insert the XP installation CD and restart. Setup will give
you the opportunity to reformat any partition and/or delete and recreate the
partition. Note that ALL data is lost when you do this.
 
One of the reasons that I am doing a reinstallation is that a program that I
attempted to uninstall has left pieces of itself that prevents the DVD drive
from functioning. So I am stuck. DVD drive doesn't work, keyboard doesn't
work when trying to change the boot sequence.

If I allow the system to load normally the keyboard works just fine. DVD,
however, doesn't.

Marv
 
It's doubtful that a Windows program will affect your DVD drive at boot.

I think you are confused. The F8 key at Windows start-up is not the boot
order.

You need to go into the BIOS.

The very first screen that appears listing your CPU, memory and hard disk
drives gives you access to the BIOS. If you hit the pause/break key you will
probably see "hit <key> to enter setup", "BIOS setup", or just "BIOS" listed
at the bottom of the screen. Often it is the Delete key but can be others.

You will then come to a menu, and depending on which BIOS you have, it will
have an option listed as Boot, or Advanced BIOS Features. Select which ever
you have and there are options to set boot order or first boot device Set
the DVD drive as first boot device. Save the changes and the computer will
reboot.

Some motherboards offer an option at the very first screen to boot from an
attached device without entering the BIOS. For example I have an Abit
motherboard and I can push the F12 key. I have an Asus board that can do the
same (though I don't know the key offhand). So look for that option also.
Make sure you have the CD in the drive. If you see a manufacturers logo, and
no options, you will need to read the manual, or find out how to enter the
BIOS from some other source.

If your keyboard doesn't work in the BIOS, try a PS2 keyboard. Sometimes USB
ones don't work without drivers.

If your DVD drive doesn't show up at the first boot screen, (though
sometimes it will still register with the BIOS), or won't boot from the disk
you might consider your drive is dead. Some older drives either don't
support boot disks, or maybe it's just the implementation of the boot code
that the drives firmware doesn't like

To save you some effort, have you tried using a restore point from within XP
to a point from before you installed the offending program?


Marv said:
One of the reasons that I am doing a reinstallation is that a program that
I attempted to uninstall has left pieces of itself that prevents the DVD
drive from functioning. So I am stuck. DVD drive doesn't work, keyboard
doesn't work when trying to change the boot sequence.

If I allow the system to load normally the keyboard works just fine. DVD,
however, doesn't.

Marv
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