I'm about to re-install Windows

pyowomaniac · 12-08-2005, 12:54 PM

My hard drive is full! I'm going to re-format the drive and install Windows again.

Before I do that, I'm going to transport all of my favorite programs onto this external hard drive that I have.

Now, before I make an attempt to do this, could someone give me a tutorial on how it should be properly done? I have Windows XP.

I'm not 100% sure of where I need to go to re-format the drive.

kelp · 12-08-2005, 03:46 PM

Put the Windows XP CD in when you first start up your computer. It will go into a partition manager and ask you if you want to delete the partition that has your current Windows. From there, you can choose a quick format or a lengthy one.

imported_Steve · 12-08-2005, 06:24 PM

And after that it will start installing windows files.

If you format the drive you will lose everything. However it is possible to just reinstall Windows on top of your exisiting installation and not lose your data files - however this is not recommended.

JBN-Rob · 12-08-2005, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyowomaniac

My hard drive is full! I'm going to re-format the drive and install Windows again.

Before I do that, I'm going to transport all of my favorite programs onto this external hard drive that I have.

Now, before I make an attempt to do this, could someone give me a tutorial on how it should be properly done? I have Windows XP.

I'm not 100% sure of where I need to go to re-format the drive.

If its actual programs you want to copy, you probably won't have much luck. Most programs will copy extra files and ddl's to windows folders in order to run, and it's virtually impossible to back them up. Your best bet is just to reinstall them (provided you have the installtion cd's/programs) once you've formatted & reinstalled windows.

pyowomaniac · 12-09-2005, 03:02 PM

I'm confused...

If I re format the drive, would Windows install? I'm trying to do whatever I can to free up memory and get my machine running smoother.

JBN-Rob · 12-09-2005, 03:44 PM

The Windows XP installation has a built in section for formatting the drive, but once you format every single thing that was on the hard drive will be gone, including documents, music, games, programs, everything!

If you're not too confident, you may be better to have someone help you, or take it to your local PC store who can backup your data and format/reinstall for you...

n3rdych1ck · 12-10-2005, 12:47 AM

first, you need to tranfer all your wanted files, programs etc... over to your new HD. if you connected it correctly, there should be a new HD located in My Computer, the regular HD ios usually labled C: along with any disc drives and your extra HD. makes sure you know which one is which before you tranfer the programs, etc. to it.
To reformat your original HD simply load your OS CD to it and reload the OS. this make take a while, so make sure you have enough time to do it. Once that is finished simply tranfer the original programs, etc. back to the original HD from the external one

kelp · 12-10-2005, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyowomaniac

I'm confused...

If I re format the drive, would Windows install? I'm trying to do whatever I can to free up memory and get my machine running smoother.

It would do more than free up memory. Everything will be deleted after you format your computer. Then, you install Windows XP and you'll have the basic operating system, and you can install your applications again.

pyowomaniac · 12-10-2005, 06:36 PM

I'm really not concerned about losing all of my software etc. It does me no good anyway when I don't have enough memory to run anything. I really can not afford to take my computer to a shop, I'll have to do things myself.

What do you mean by a basic OS? I mean, is that what's on the disk? I'm not sure, but I'm getting the impression that I will not be able to run anything!

JBN-Rob · 12-10-2005, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyowomaniac

I'm really not concerned about losing all of my software etc. It does me no good anyway when I don't have enough memory to run anything. I really can not afford to take my computer to a shop, I'll have to do things myself.

What do you mean by a basic OS? I mean, is that what's on the disk? I'm not sure, but I'm getting the impression that I will not be able to run anything!

By the basic OS, he means the operating system as it comes first installed... i.e. when you first got the PC, with just the basic operating system installed - no programs other than the default ones that come with Microsoft Windows (such as Paint, Wordpad, etc). You'll then need to reinstall your programs (like Office, etc if you have them) in order to open some files. Music and such will open in Windows Media Player by default, which comes pre-installed with Windows.

kelp · 12-10-2005, 10:14 PM

Also, I'd make a list of programs you currently have installed and put down what's the most necessary things, like security(firewalls, antivirus, antispyware), drivers, and then software and games. Since everything will be lost, make sure you don't have any valuable pictures or valuable videos or back them up.

Bender · 12-11-2005, 04:57 PM

Yes, just back up your personal files, such as My Documents etc.
There is no need to back up installation of programs, in fact this wont even work anyway.

pyowomaniac · 12-15-2005, 06:52 PM

Ok, thank you guys. Could someone tell me hwo to re format the hard drive? For example, how do I get to the screen to type my command? what exactly do I type?

JBN-Rob · 12-15-2005, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyowomaniac

Ok, thank you guys. Could someone tell me hwo to re format the hard drive? For example, how do I get to the screen to type my command? what exactly do I type?

You don't have to type anything. Insert the Windows XP CD (Or windows 2000 will do the same) and when booting you should get an option to "Press any key to boot from CD". Press a key. You'll then go through a series of steps to install windows.

compnut · 12-16-2005, 01:57 PM

My question is why do all that when you could simply backup all of your favorite programs, documents, etc. onto a CD?

If you have the CD for software programs, simply reinstall them when you have reformatted. If you have any downloaded programs, just go into your C drive and save your "setup" files onto the CD.

Seems it would be easier, in my opinion, to do it this way. Just a thought.

pyowomaniac · 12-16-2005, 08:58 PM

I can't burn a cd while there's not enough memory on my pc to open the software. Anyway, I have an extra hard drive (the external one) and I would like to put it to use.

pyowomaniac · 12-16-2005, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBN-Rob

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyowomaniac

Ok, thank you guys. Could someone tell me hwo to re format the hard drive? For example, how do I get to the screen to type my command? what exactly do I type?

You don't have to type anything. Insert the Windows XP CD (Or windows 2000 will do the same) and when booting you should get an option to "Press any key to boot from CD". Press a key. You'll then go through a series of steps to install windows.

Ok, will that free up memory on my pc? For some reason, it seems like this just "copies" over the files that I already have.

kelp · 12-16-2005, 10:16 PM

If you want to free up memory, try to delete some programs you're not using right now. Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Add/Remove Programs and get everything off you don't need. You can just delete videos and stuff your not using anymore and put them on your external hard drive and put them back on your computer when you need it.

pyowomaniac · 12-17-2005, 06:55 PM

I've been through the Add and Remove programs routine so many times.

There is nothing but "needed" programs on my computer. I've re-installed Windows and my computer is running smooth now. There have been no more error message stating that my computer is low on memory.

compnut · 12-17-2005, 09:45 PM

I'm glad you got your computer back in shape, but I hope you didn't lose any important programs. You could have moved all your wanted files to a CD before reinstalling, but, oh well, at least you're up and running smoothly. Good luck!

pyowomaniac · 12-18-2005, 06:09 PM

No, I didn't lose anything that was too important. I can not stress enough that the problems are not that serious for me. I can live without everything that's on here. LOL

Fry · 12-18-2005, 06:56 PM

Lucky you

Some people have things on their PC that they "cant live without".

In these cases Im always amazed they dont back these things up!
Its like not having house insurance.. except computer backup is cheaper!

pyowomaniac · 12-20-2005, 10:03 PM

I felt like I couldn't live without things on my computer until my pc crashed and I realized that everything could be replaced! The only things I lost were pictures, but the thing about the pictures is that the pictures on my computer were backup only.