Hard Drive Format!!

[Grandpappy]

I need to format my hard drive because it has become so corrupted that I'm having problems just running ordinary programmes. I can't find the search options or the companion and an installed copy of Acrobat just keeps bombing out
I have my re-installation CD with Windows XP Home Edition - Service Pack 2 ,but I've tried installing it before and all of the problems were still there!!
I've copied most of the 'stuff 'over to my "E:" drive ( copy & paste) and now I need help in wiping (formatting) my C: drive and reinstalling the Windows 'stuff' !
Is there a programme to do it and if there isn't , then how do I start AND finish the process????
Can anyone help me or should I get my Atari out of the loft?

Yours humbly
Grandpappy

[ChuckFickens]

get the Atari out the loft (they are worth money now!)

you need to put the windows CD into the drive and the restart your computer, look out for a quick message that says press F12 (or another key!) to change boot order (or something similar). Press that key and select your CD drive to be the first boot device and hit enter.

Then keep an eye on the screen for a messsge that says press any key to boot from CD, when you see that press anykey (you only have a few seconds!)

this should take you into the windows setup. if you follow the instructions from there you should be able to reinstall windows.

Good luck, and assuming you have access to antohter computer then if your not sure about any of the steps during the setup then post what your not sure about here and one of us will point you in the right direction

the hints I will give you are, when you get to the partitioning screen then delete the existing partitions and create a new one, also when it comes to formatting the drive select quick format (though it doesn't matter if you don't, it will just take a couple of hours longer)

[Grandpappy]

Many Many thanks for that.
Now I try and do these things with all of my fingers crossed.
What the hell - what's the worst that can happen!!

I shall keep you informed; I hope.

" I'll be back"

[ChuckFickens]

My thoughts precisely.... what's the worst that can happen :) you have a non working windows system, the worst that can happen is you will end up with a still non working windows system

Just be vary careful that you do not delete the partitions or make any changes to the drive that you have backed up onto (if it's an external drive unplug it to make doubly sure)

[ACtheTROLL]

grandpappy - the trick is DON'T THINK
just do what chuck says ....

once you start (over) thinking ... it gets so that nothing sounds logical

just reading your problem ....before you do all that work

>>>>>and all of the problems were still there!!
if this is the second time round ... I wonder if your HDD is getting to the end of the road

start | run
.... in the window that opens type CMD
this will open a black window

at the "C:\WINDOWS>" type
C:\WINDOWS>chkdsk c: /f
(you'll probably need a restart)
get a pot of tea ....

[trish432]

I agree with Chuck, make sure you unplug any external drive.
I`ve reinstalled windows many times, but last week,was reinstalling my nephews laptop.
I copied all his music to my external drive, ready to reinstall later.
Booted from the disc, formatted his c drive!
Got some message that windows couldn`t install.
Finally I realised I`d formatted my external drive and windows had been trying to install from it.
I lost all his music + all my own stuff that I had on the drive.
All that was left on the drive was the windows files.
Managed to reinstall for him, minus his music.
Only excuse I have is that his C drive was the same size as my external. I`d looked at the size rather than the drive letter.
To put the tin hat on it, I am refused permission to remove the windows files from my external drive.

[ACtheTROLL]

trish - is your nickname lucky? ;-(

[Grandpappy]

Well Grandpappy formatted his Hard drive AND reinstalled windows.
But, now I seem to have a problem with the screen. When I try to move a box by dragging with the mouse, it just sort of shimmers with lots of images of itself dragging down the screen and if I try to scroll with the mouse button it just 'snakes' down the page!!
What do I need to do?????
Please Help!!!
Grandpappy

[trish432]

lol AC

[ChuckFickens]

Now you've installed windows you need to download and install all the relevant drivers for your computer.

The drivers will be available from your computer manufacturers website, but if you post the make and model of the computer I'll post you a link for the drivers download page,

[Grandpappy]

Thanks for that Chuckfickens,
I only needed to go to Dell's site for 1 driver ? ( video controller VGA compatible)???
I'm now re-installing SOME of my stuff!!
My 160Gb. hard disk is 94% FREE!!! and running like 's**t off a shovel' .
Many, many thanks to you .
If ever you need anything 'knacking' ,let me know!

Best wishes

[trish432]

Have you done all your windows updates?
Have you checked your drivers - start - my computer - view system information - hardware - device manager.
Are there any question marks in there?

[trish432]

Sorry, had to go out, and forgot to refresh the page.