talkmagic.co.uk

Hi, got my computor and now it has so much junk on it it runs slowly, so how do i restart my whole computor from scratch with everything off so the hard drive is wiped basically, and then i just have the operating system on it?????

Thnaks in advance

I did it before couple years ago well my dad did and cant remember how he did it either does he.

Easy, if you have the original Windows discs.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_insta ... ows_xp.htm

Dont understand that, how do i wipe it firstly.

And the only CDs i have are windwos published and a Dell one for reinstatlling things

And a Reinstallation DC for windows XP

You will need an XP boot disc, usually a floppy.

From there, you can initialize/re-format a hard drive, and then re-install Windows.

Ok downloaded the 6 disk boot thing, then put the first in and then it says put 2nd in then it makes a noise and then says put 3rd in put 3rd in and it says it cant find something and exits.

Know What

put it into DOS and do> Format C:
then shout "GayHead!" at it repeatedly and curse the name of Bill Gates for being a money grabbing [/rant befor it really starts]
and make sure you have installation disks for everything

Im not very good on computors but that makes no sense to me.

I'm not sure why you need to use a floppy - most modern computers can boot off CD.

My way (probably not the best though!) would be:

1: download the gparted livecd and delete all the partitions on the the hard drive

2: use gparted to make one new partition

3: boot off the dell reinstallation cd (if it's XP that is) and run a regular install off of it

Would that be stupid?

Kati

Dont no i have a reinstallation ~CD and it asks me for a license key or somethin and i dont now where that is.

The licence key is usually a long string of digits and it might to be on the box the CD or disc came in or it could be printed in the instructions or other paperwork. If it's a Windows licence key then sometimes there's a label on the back of the computer with the digits on.

The more you are describing your lack of PC knowledge, the more I am thinking perhaps you should either leave it alone, or get someone to do it for you. :O

...or install OpenSUSE Linux 10.1

katrielalex wrote:I'm not sure why you need to use a floppy - most modern computers can boot off CD.

My way (probably not the best though!) would be:

1: download the gparted livecd and delete all the partitions on the the hard drive

2: use gparted to make one new partition

3: boot off the dell reinstallation cd (if it's XP that is) and run a regular install off of it

Would that be stupid?

Kati

Kati

Yes, it's true, most MODERN computers CAN boot from CD, however, only Windows XP offers this facility. It's usually a good plan to have some boot disc floppies ready in case all else fails, as some BIOS setups aren't geared this way. From experience with PCs, I find it far easier to presume the Boot Floppy method as default, just in case.

As for the rest of your ideas, why complicate things? Most if not all you need is done for you by Windows' own installers. By using the Boot Floppies to re format the hard drive, a fresh clean Windows install will be the only option, as the target hard drive will be blank.

I really don't know why people complicate such simple tasks so much!

As for the license issue: any PC supplied with an OEM version of WINDOWS (OEM meaning, a 'sold with' version rather than the retail packaged version) should come with a copy of Windows on CD and a license key. The Windows CD should ACCOMPANY the manufacturer's disc (in this case, Dell). The Dell CD will probably contain all sorts of proprietary drivers for Dell's own hardware, and will also usually contain bonus crudware (sorry, I meant 'free software') which is almost always out of date anyway.

The best bet, as always, is to forget the supplied manufacturers disc and go straight for the Windows one. Any hardware found which is Dell specific will have drivers on the Dell CD. But usually you will find the whole thing is self-activating in most cases.

With a clean Windows install, as opposed to a bloated OEM install from the manufacturer CD, you will find a smoother, quicker, and often simpler operating system is the result.

Alternatively, buy an Apple computer, and you'll never ever suffer these woes again