ever reformatted a hard drive?

[poker]

Originally Posted by JJG

Is my only option to go purchase a new copy of XP if I want to reformat?

Yes & no. Yes, you must have a Windows CD to reformat. No you do not have to go purchase a new copy if you can just borrow one.

[poker]

I have all the original disks that came with the computer, including the (legit) windows XP disk. My problem is that I've never reformatted a drive/reinstalled windows. just wondering if anybody here can give me simple walk-through of the process or direct me to page that explains things in relatively simple terms. there's nothing to back up either since I don't have any important files on this computer.

If you have to original XP disk that came with it, that will work.

In a nutshell....

1) Format C drive data by inserting the Windows disk and restarting

2) The computer should automatically boot from the CD

3) Simply follow the prompts to format the C drive and reinstall Windows

For a detailed guide:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6026_format-hard-drive.html

[acarr]

Get a few cigars it could take a while for it all to load. Then when you update the software at Microsoft, it may take 5 or 6 downloads and reboots.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by poker

Yes & no. Yes, you must have a Windows CD to reformat. No you do not have to go purchase a new copy if you can just borrow one.

well, I've done this in the past but as I understand it the Windows "genuine advantage" updates now make it difficult to "borrow" a copy

[poker]

Originally Posted by JJG

well, I've done this in the past but as I understand it the Windows "genuine advantage" updates now make it difficult to "borrow" a copy

Not true. The "genuine advantage" comes into play to get updates.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by poker

Not true. The "genuine advantage" comes into play to get updates.

well, I would definitely want to be able to get all the windows updates so where does that leave me? I'd love to do this for free but if I have to pay the $85 for a new copy of Xp, that's still cheaper than a new computer.

[poker]

Well if you have the original XP disc that came with your PC as you say, you're golden. The Genuine Advantage Tool from MS looks at your hardware configuration to distinguish it from other PC's (which is why it will only load on your PC). If you made no major hardware changes, you should be able to use your disk to not only reformat, but to also reload a fresh OS.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by poker

Well if you have the original XP disc that came with your PC as you say, you're golden. The Genuine Advantage Tool from MS looks at your hardware configuration to distinguish it from other PC's (which is why it will only load on your PC). If you made no major hardware changes, you should be able to use your disk to not only reformat, but to also reload a fresh OS.

yeah, sorry I started talking about 2 different computers. confusing. The one in the original post I do have a disk for but for my Dell I do not have the XP cd.

If the above suggestions don't result in the desired manner, you may want to consider a new hard disk drive. There are some things you just can't get rid of any other way.

Originally Posted by JJG

yeah, sorry I started talking about 2 different computers. confusing. The one in the original post I do have a disk for but for my Dell I do not have the XP cd.

If you lost your original CD then order another one from the company,,,it's only about $13 plus S/H,,,it's worth getting it because it will bring your computer back to the original specs,,,I had to do that with my Compaq because I lost the start up CD,,,,you load and walk thru the whole thing as it will prompt you with what to do next,,almost idiot proof.

Originally Posted by poker

Not true. The "genuine advantage" comes into play to get updates.

And if you get "turned down" for updates manually, just turn them on to "Automatic" and it will still download the updates after it refuses you manually.

Bug or feature, not sure but it works.

Chas