Reformatting from Scratch

  • Thread starter Thread starter Skookum
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Skookum

I have inherited a laptop from a late relative. it doesn't have much
that I am interested in keeping on it and so I would like to "start
afresh". Can anyone direct me to some good resources for step-by-step
reformatting bearing in mind that my main inetrest is to get rid of
everything on the drive and start afresh with my own software?

A supplementary - I have to buy systems software - Windows XP is the
usual one it seems but should I consider Linux (about which I know
very little except the reputation of being less prone to viruses,
worms, etc.
 
Purchase a "Full Version" of Windows XP and follow the instructions:

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I have inherited a laptop from a late relative. it doesn't have much
| that I am interested in keeping on it and so I would like to "start
| afresh". Can anyone direct me to some good resources for step-by-step
| reformatting bearing in mind that my main inetrest is to get rid of
| everything on the drive and start afresh with my own software?
|
| A supplementary - I have to buy systems software - Windows XP is the
| usual one it seems but should I consider Linux (about which I know
| very little except the reputation of being less prone to viruses,
| worms, etc.
 
Hi,

There's really not that much to it if you want to start fresh. Simply choose
the OS you want (and Linux is a fine choice provided there are appropriate
drivers for the laptop available), then boot the system with the
installation media. Most Linux or Win iterations provide for a clean
installation by removing existing partitions and creating new ones, then
formatting and proceeding with the installer.

By the way, Linux is just as susceptible to bugs, viruses, and security
exploits as Windows, it's just that fewer of them target that platform. Same
can be said of Mac's. Rather than let that be the deciding factor, look at
what software you want to run on the system and choose the one that best
supports your use of the machine.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
To do a clean install boot the Windows XP install CD-Rom. When you get to
the point, delete the existing NTFS and or other partitions found. After you
delete the partition(s) abort the install, then again restart the pc booting
the CD-Rom to avoid unexpected drive letter assignments with your new
install.

Be sure to apply SP2 or at least these two below to your new install before
connecting to any network.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
|I have inherited a laptop from a late relative. it doesn't have much
| that I am interested in keeping on it and so I would like to "start
| afresh". Can anyone direct me to some good resources for step-by-step
| reformatting bearing in mind that my main inetrest is to get rid of
| everything on the drive and start afresh with my own software?
|
| A supplementary - I have to buy systems software - Windows XP is the
| usual one it seems but should I consider Linux (about which I know
| very little except the reputation of being less prone to viruses,
| worms, etc.
|
 
Skookum said:
I have inherited a laptop from a late relative. it doesn't have much
that I am interested in keeping on it and so I would like to "start
afresh". Can anyone direct me to some good resources for step-by-step
reformatting bearing in mind that my main inetrest is to get rid of
everything on the drive and start afresh with my own software?
Click to expand...

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316941
 
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