formatting hard drive

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hi, I’m a newcomer here.
I bought my laptop 5-6 yrs ago; it came with Windows XP - Home. I blindly
accepted any upgrades offered whilst online (I admit it, I’m computer
illiterate). A long time ago the CD burner / reader continued reading but
refused to burn any CDs for me. It decided to fix itself (somehow) because
one day I’d forgotten it didn’t work and burned one (only to remember a short
time later).
Well, it happened again only this time I wrote to Support Microsoft. They
gave me instructions which I followed, alas to no avail. They mentioned the
upgrades I’d downloaded had affected the system (which also stopped me from
doing my internet banking from my computer; I’ve had to go to a cyber-café to
do it since).
I’ve decided to format the hard drive, something I’ve never done before, but
reading the CDs that came with the machine they say to simply install the 3
of them in order and to follow the instructions.
My question… if I format, do I lose the XP also? If so, is there some way of
recuperating it???... because I wasn’t given any Windows XP disc when I
bought it; nor did I know enough to ask for one at the time. Am I forced to
buy a whole new disc to reload the machine with the system? If so, any
suggestions as to which could be the best, or most suitable (XP or other)???
Any help, any suggestions… would greatly be appreciated.
Blue Symphony
 
If you were supplied with 3 cd's they are recovery cd's which will put your
system back to its origonal state. (they contain winxp, as supplied by your
laptop manufacturer)
You will lose all data and anything else you installed, so you should backup
data.

Use winupdate only for critical updates. Do not use for drivers, these are
obtained, if required, from your laptop manufacturers site.
 
On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 03:02:04 -0700, Blue Symphony <Blue
I’ve decided to format the hard drive, something I’ve never done before, but
reading the CDs that came with the machine they say to simply install the 3
of them in order and to follow the instructions.
Click to expand...
My question… if I format, do I lose the XP also?
Click to expand...


Yes. Formatting, by definition, destroys *everything* on the drive

If so, is there some way of
recuperating it???... because I wasn’t given any Windows XP disc when I
bought it; nor did I know enough to ask for one at the time. Am I forced to
buy a whole new disc to reload the machine with the system? If so, any
suggestions as to which could be the best, or most suitable (XP or other)???
Any help, any suggestions… would greatly be appreciated.
Click to expand...


You 3-CD set you mention above undoubtedly reinstalls Windows XP (but
as always, you should check your documentation to be sure; I can't see
it from here, and there's no way for me to be positive). That's
primarily what it's for, although it may also install other apps that
came with your system.

If you have any data files you need, you'll need to back them up to
external media before starting. Remember again, formatting destroys
*everything*.
 
Thanks DL, will check the CDs when the sun comes up and start the work (hope
it works out ok).
 
Thank you, will check the CDs again. I've started copying, backing up, the
things I need to keep (hope it works out ok). I'm a little uneasy, it's my
first time at this and I don't know enough about this to understand how the
CDs will work if everything is wiped out. I can only do as told I guess.
Thanks once again
 
Thank you, will check the CDs again. I've started copying, backing up, the
things I need to keep (hope it works out ok). I'm a little uneasy, it's my
first time at this and I don't know enough about this to understand how the
CDs will work if everything is wiped out. I can only do as told I guess.
Thanks once again
Click to expand...



You're welcome. Glad to help.
 
Back
Top