Saving my system

[Guest]

As I'm sure you all know, microsoft has done all it can so you cant remove
their products from your computer.
Earlier this week i got a really bad virus and I needed to format my C
drive. I could not find a way so i tried using the Eraser program, this ended
badly to the point that I can barely get to the setup screen. What i need to
know is a way to format my drive AND get it to work correctly. How to create
a USABLE bootdisk would be helpful to.

thank you in advance

 

[Rich Barry]

You cannot format the C: drive if your operating system is on it. It's
like asking WinXP to commit suicide which it won't do.
Go into the Bios and set your cdrom drive as first boot device. Then
using the WinXP CD you should be able to format
the drive and reinstall WinXP. Check here for further info
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_pro_install_-_graphic.htm

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

 

[Bruce Chambers]

As I'm sure you all know, microsoft has done all it can so you cant remove
their products from your computer.

No, we don't all know that. Where'd you ever hear such a silly thing?

Earlier this week i got a really bad virus and I needed to format my C
drive. I could not find a way so i tried using the Eraser program, this ended
badly to the point that I can barely get to the setup screen. What i need to
know is a way to format my drive AND get it to work correctly. How to create
a USABLE bootdisk would be helpful to.

Formatting the hard drive to solve a virus or spyware problem is
rather like using an axe to trim one's fingernails. Sure, it'll
probably get the job done, but it's rather messy...., and almost always
unnecessary.

However, if that's what you want to do:

Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot
devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Guest]

how do i change my bios settings to do that? Those sites don't say

 

[Rich Barry]

Usually to get into the Bios you have to Tap F2 or Delete Button on
Startup.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

how do i change my bios settings to do that? Those sites don't say

That would depend entirely upon the specific BIOS on your computer. In
the extremely unlikely event that your PC's manual or the motherboard
manufacturer's web site doesn't contain the needed information, try one
or more of the following:

How do I access my computer's setup (BIOS)
http://www.iomega.com/support/documents/2157.html

Wim's BIOS Page
http://www.wimsbios.com/

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



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin