reformat hard drive help

[Guest]

Hello. I wanted to do a freash/clean reformat of my C Drive.
I have Windows Xp Home and using HP a250y. Since im using HP, it did not
come with a cd with windows and the drivers. Instead my C drive has some
partition.
What steps do I need to take before I begin reformatting to make sure that
my windows and drivers will not be lost. I have an external drive or can use
cds/dvds to back up anything really important. Also where do I go to start
reformatting once I get the important stuff backed up.

Thanks

 

[Glen]

To start back up all the files you create yourself that you can't live
without. Anything you think you will need again backup. Nothing is
infallable and not having things backed up will come back and bit you in the
a** at some point. The hidden partition should have a way to access the
restore utility by pressing a key combo at startup I can't remember HP keys
so look in the computer manual. I think HP allows you to either do a repair
install (an install that keeps all your data) or a full restore which wipes
all your data and puts the system back to factory state. I seem to remember
that you can even make a set of restore CDs that contain all the files. All
the drivers and stuff will be restored. The only thing you need to back up
are stuff you added since getting the computer, files you create and so on.

You need to understand what you are doing before doing anything because you
say in your question "I want to do a fresh\clean reformat" then go on to say
"make sure my windows and drivers will not be lost". A fresh clean install
will put the computer back to the day you bought it. Google for reinstall
windows and you will get lots of good info although it will be targeted at
people who have a seperate Windows XP CD you should get enough info to
understand what you are doing.

The HP web site might have detailed info.