Format

[justdina]

Hi
I would like to formay my computer and basically start over. I don't
remember getting a cd for vista, it was already installed into my computer.
How do I format and keep vista?
And secondly, I bought RAM memory and I am looking for a guide to help me
installing it, do you know where I cam find one?
An last but not least, my flash player stoped working all of a sudden. I am
stying to re-install it but I am unable to, does anyone know why??
Thanks, Dina

 

[Charlie42]

I would like to formay my computer and basically start over. I don't
remember getting a cd for vista, it was already installed into my
computer.
How do I format and keep vista?

Formatting your hard drive will loose you all files on it. If you want to
keep Vista after formatting, you have to reinstall it. You can format the
hard drive from the Vista installation disk, but not from inside Vista
itself. You can also simply do a clean install.

Most OEM computers come with either an OS installation/recovery disk, or a
piece of software that will burn such a disk for you. If you tell us what
make and model your computer is, perhaps someone in this ng can tell you
what tool to use. Or just take a look in the manual or on the manufacturer's
support pages.

And secondly, I bought RAM memory and I am looking for a guide to help me
installing it, do you know where I cam find one?

In your computer manual, or on the manufacturer's support site.

Usually, installing a RAM involves the following steps:

1. Turn the computer off, unplug the power cord and disconnect all
peripherals.
2. Ground yourself to the computer, using an anti-static wristband or simply
by holding on to a chassis metal part.
3. Open up the computer cover.
4. Slide the new RAM card into an available slot (or replace the old one).
Make sure it is firmly attached.
5. Put the cover back on and reconnect peripherals.
6. Boot up. The OS should recognize the added RAM. Verify this in
Control Panel > System and Maintenance > System.

An last but not least, my flash player stoped working all of a sudden. I
am
stying to re-install it but I am unable to, does anyone know why??

Download and run the Adobe uninstaller, then reinstall Flash Player:
http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/downloads.html#uninstaller

Charlie42

 

[Marcus L. Jackson]

Why do you want to reformat the entire drive? If you bought your computer
with Vista preinstalled, your system's has a partition on on it which allows
you to restore the system to it's full "out-of-the-box" state. Basically
starting over from scratch.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I would like to formay my computer and basically start over. I don't
remember getting a cd for vista, it was already installed into my computer.
How do I format and keep vista?

That last sentence confuses me. When you format, you can't keep Vista.
Formatting removes *everything* on the drive, Vista included.

Perhaps you mean, "how do I format and *reinstall* Vista?"

If so, OEM vendors are required by their agreement with Microsoft to
give you a means of reinstalling, should it be necessary. They can do
this in one of three ways:

1. An OEM copy of Windows
2. A restore CD
3. A hidden partition on your drive, with restore information.

If you don't have 1 or 2, you should have 3, but you should contact
your vendor to find out, and get instructions on how to proceed.

And secondly, I bought RAM memory and I am looking for a guide to help me
installing it, do you know where I cam find one?

That's another thing that it would be good to ask your vendor.

An last but not least, my flash player stoped working all of a sudden. I am
stying to re-install it but I am unable to, does anyone know why??

Please help us to help you. It's extremely hard to provide help when
all you tell us is "I am unable to." What does "I am unable to" mean?
What happens when you try? If you get an error message, please quote
it verbatim.

For information on how to make a good newsgroup posting, read
http://www.dts-l.com/goodpost.htm and