HELP, need to reinstall windows

[Guest]

Hi

I am having problems with my computer, and was told to format c drive and
reinstall windows.

I have never done this, what do i do. I have back uped my files/documents
and am ready to wipe it clean and start over again.

Please help, need step by step instructions.

thanks

 

[CWatters]

Hi

I am having problems with my computer, and was told to format c drive and
reinstall windows.

That's quite a drastic step to take. Some support centers suggest it when
they run out of ideas on how to solve a problem. Perhaps before you do that
you could give the folks here a chance at fixing the problem an easier way?

What seems to be the problem?

 

[Harry Ohrn]

Check here http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm
Be prepared for a host of posts telling you that you that doing a clean
install is a bad idea and "should be the last resort". However you are the
person who is seated at your computer and only you know whether or not you
want to spend several hours trying to clean it using a battery of anti virus
and spyware cleaners or if you want to spend your time reinstalling and
getting your system setup again. Please be advised that doing a clean
install is not a bad idea. It is simply a choice that you can make based
upon your needs.

If you plan to a do a complete reinstall of Windows XP including applying
update patches then reinstalling your applications and tweaking your system,
etc. you are looking a several hours of work. However it doesn't have to be
setup all at once. You do need to reinstall Windows then install SP2 and new
Critical Updates. Next ensure your antivirus is installed and updated and
install your spyware protection. That in itself can take several hours
depending on your internet connection speed.

 

[Malke]

Hi

I am having problems with my computer, and was told to format c drive
and reinstall windows.

I have never done this, what do i do. I have back uped my
files/documents and am ready to wipe it clean and start over again.

Please help, need step by step instructions.

thanks

Here you go:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Malke

 

[Guest]

Hi

thanks all, i'll look at the information you gave me.

The reason i need to reinstall xp is that i have been having problems with
my computer for a few months. (i posted a messages about a month ago here)

It all started after i installed a web cam, problems started when i wanted
to attach files/pictures to email and send, as soon as a clicked the browse
button the screen closed and brought me back to the desktop. I am not able
to save pictures from attachements or any pic, but can save files/documents.
I am not always able to get to the Control Panel, and keep getting some error
messages. I am not able to save web site to my fav tab, even looking in the
Windows Explorer or My documents and some times clicking on My documents and
error message would come up and then nothing would happen.

I did delete the web cam, but this did not do anything, it stayed the same.
I have been dealing with this a while and had someone look at my computer
(who knows computers) and he was the one suggested putting XP back on the
computer, which would swipe everything so i could start again.

I am very frustrusted and upset with this issue, since i use my
computer/emails alot it has made things frustrusting and harder to do.

thanks

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I am having problems with my computer, and was told to format c
drive
and reinstall windows.

I have never done this, what do i do. I have back uped my
files/documents and am ready to wipe it clean and start over
again.

Please help, need step by step instructions.

The first and most important instruction is *not* to do what you
were told. Formatting and reinstalling is a drastic step. It's
sometimes the right course, but not often, and should generally
be done only as a last resort.

Unfortunately, it's far too often recommended by many people.
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.

 

[CWatters]

I did delete the web cam, but this did not do anything, it stayed the same.
I have been dealing with this a while and had someone look at my computer
(who knows computers) and he was the one suggested putting XP back on the
computer, which would swipe everything so i could start again.

If you do a fresh installation you will also need to re-install any
applications (do you have the discs?) and you will need to reconfigure your
internet connection and email settings (do you know what they are?).

 

[CWatters]

If you do a fresh installation you will also need to re-install any
applications (do you have the discs?) and you will need to reconfigure your
internet connection and email settings (do you know what they are?).

You might try running a Repair Install first before you give up on the
existing set up...

Instructions here...
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
See "XP Repair install"

 

[Guest]

I have posted a message on here back in April concerning this problem "web
cam and XP" It wasn't much use, i have discussed this problem with 3 other
people who knows computers and how to fix them, but all 3 had no idea what
happened, the last person is the one who told me reinstall xp and start
again, he actually took a look at my computer and the same problems that were
happening when i was on it, was happening to him, he was experiencing the
same things.

I know it is a drastic step, but i am at the end of my rope, and very
frustrusted with this issue since i am not able to do things that i need to
do, if there is anyway then i would gladly do it, but i don't think there is.

thansk

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I have posted a message on here back in April concerning this
problem
"web cam and XP" It wasn't much use, i have discussed this
problem
with 3 other people who knows computers and how to fix them,
but all
3 had no idea what happened, the last person is the one who
told me
reinstall xp and start again, he actually took a look at my
computer
and the same problems that were happening when i was on it, was
happening to him, he was experiencing the same things.

I know it is a drastic step, but i am at the end of my rope,
and very
frustrusted with this issue since i am not able to do things
that i
need to do, if there is anyway then i would gladly do it, but i
don't
think there is.

OK, if, as you say, you've asked here and you've asked other
knowledgeable people, then you've already done what I suggested,
and perhaps reinstalling is right for you.

To do so, 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


--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
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