reseting xp

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

I need to reset my old pc back to just all its xp basics with none of my
personal bits is there a way to format c drive rather than having to install
xp all over again

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Since Windows resides on the C: drive, you can reinstall Windows over your
current installation, or you can choose to format and install. A format of
the drive will wipe it clean. A format is different from an installation.

"Smudger54" <Smudger54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2E783B0B-7F41-4A27-8D09-6C17B9DA6FB6@microsoft.com...
> I need to reset my old pc back to just all its xp basics with none of my
> personal bits is there a way to format c drive rather than having to
install
> xp all over again

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Hi, Smudger.

Yes - but we can't tell you how to do it because we don't know anything
about YOUR computer. :^{

If your computer came with WinXP pre-installed on it, you probably got a
recovery disk to restore your computer to factory-fresh condition.

If you have a retail WinXP CD-ROM, you can boot from it and accept its early
invitation to repartition and/or reformat your HD - and clean install WinXP
again. Anything short of this is going to leave your "personal bits" on the
computer. You could, of course, use Add or Remove Programs to uninstall all
your applications and then use Windows Explorer to delete everything except
the \Windows folder, but I suspect there would be a lot of lingering
"garbage" even after all that.

If you tell us the make and model of your PC, we probably can be more
specific. Until then, the best advice I can give is: Read The Fine Manual.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@corridor.net
Microsoft Windows MVP

"Smudger54" <Smudger54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2E783B0B-7F41-4A27-8D09-6C17B9DA6FB6@microsoft.com...
>I need to reset my old pc back to just all its xp basics with none of my
> personal bits is there a way to format c drive rather than having to
> install
> xp all over again

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Note, the steps below will wipe the drive of all information and any data
you have saved so be sure your data is backed up before proceeding:
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

A few screens into the boot process, if you see the message on the boot
screen to "Press any key in order to boot from the CD," do so.

After loading drivers and files, you should be taken to a screen with
the following:

To Setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To Repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console press R.
To Quit setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

In your case, press ENTER.

Agree to the License agreement by pressing F8.

You will then be taken to a screen with two options.

To repair the selected Windows XP installation press R.
To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing,
press ESC.

This will bring you to a partition map where you
can delete, create and format partitions.
Select the drive you wish to format, delete the partition, then create a new
partition, format as desired and continue with XP installation.


--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Smudger54" <Smudger54@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2E783B0B-7F41-4A27-8D09-6C17B9DA6FB6@microsoft.com...
>I need to reset my old pc back to just all its xp basics with none of my
> personal bits is there a way to format c drive rather than having to
> install
> xp all over again