How do I format my c drive?

[John K]

Hi guys,

I am looking to re-format the c: drive on my old laptop computer and re-install all the software.

Just wondering how do it do this? and how do I re-install windows?

Do I have to go into something like a command prompt and type "Format c:"

Also, if I want to grab all my e-mails from OUTLOOK EXPRESS and move these to my new laptop, do I simply go into outlook and export all my e-maisl to a file somehow?

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

John K.

[programmer]

How old is the laptop? If your BIOS allows booting from CD/DVD then just boot with the Windows disc in the drive and you should get some options for formatting/partitioning and installing Windows. What version of Windows are you running and installing? If reasonably recent, you can use the "Files and settings transfer wizard" then import it all after installing. This includes email AFAIK. I've ignored backup issues assuming you have that covered

[matt]

John.

I've only just recently done this myself with my desktop.

It's quite easy, really.

I did a complete reinstall and it's working like a charm.

Do what programmer suggests...however, depending on your system, you might have everything you need already stored on your HDD for a full reinstall. It's often partitioned on the hard drive.

When you turn your computer on, you'll get an option to press f10 or f11 right before the start-up screen. Press it and follow the prompts for recovery or reinstall.

It worked for me.

Of course...you'll lose donloaded programs and emails, unless you backup before going through the process.

[dannat (Daniel)]

To backup your emails you'll need to find them - if you use outlook express I think they are .dbx files. so search for all the .dbx.
It may be somewhere like c:/ doc&set/user/local set/ app data/id/db (with lots character/microsoft/outlook exp

If you use anothr email find out what extension it uses & search for it

Lastly, don't reinstall m/soft - go & install one of the linux versions or get a mac - you won't look back

[renormalised (Carl)]

Originally Posted by dannat

....Lastly, don't reinstall m/soft - go & istall one of the linux versions or get a mac - you won't look back

And, that's the best piece of advice you will ever get. Unless it's utterly necessary, dump Windows.

[matt]

Originally Posted by John K

and how do I re-install windows?

Guys.

That appears to be what John wishes to do...so perhaps it's best we work within the parameters he's provided?

[John K]

Hi guys,

thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by programmer

How old is the laptop? If your BIOS allows booting from CD/DVD then just boot with the Windows disc in the drive and you should get some options for formatting/partitioning and installing Windows. What version of Windows are you running and installing? If reasonably recent, you can use the "Files and settings transfer wizard" then import it all after installing. This includes email AFAIK. I've ignored backup issues assuming you have that covered

Laptop is 2.5 years old running on Windows XP home.

[programmer]

Originally Posted by John K

Hi guys,

thanks for the advice.

Laptop is 2.5 years old running on Windows XP home.

Make/model? It's not that old, so as mentioned above there should be a partition on the hard drive that you can reinstall from. You might need to check your documentation, if you still have it. If you have a Windows CD/DVD instead, try starting up the laptop with it in the CDROM drive and see what happens.

PS: Don't forget the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard before you reinstall.

PPS: Do you really need to re-install?

[Maverick]

Hi guys!
To format your HDD and install WinXP you should put your WinXP disc in CD/DVD player and restart machine.Then get in to BIOS and change boot priority for CD/DVD device to be first on booting process.To get in to the BIOS find which key you should press when PC starts (delete , F2 or depending which BIOS you have) if you can tell the brand of your lapy I can help you to find the key.After the PC starts just press any key to boot from disc and then follow the prompts.Basicaly click enter , select partition to install WinXP , format using NTFS quick.More info here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941 Before that back up your documents, music and pictures , e-mail addresses.To back up e-mails read from this link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270670

Hope it will be OK

[Stevo69]

Well, I re-format my laptop (and desktop) 2-3 times a year. But I have been told I am very, very anal when it comes to things like this. I find, personally that it helps speed the computer up significantly, but you must be prepared to understand and learn how to do it.

You can definitely "re-format" your entire laptop hard drive with absolute ease you have the following backup considerations in place:

1. You have a copy, or versions of all your software (Firefox, Outlook Express, Word, Photo Shop, whatever applications you use );

3. Make sure you have a copy of drivers for the essential functions for your laptop, such as "Video" driver, "Audio" driver etc

2. You can create a copy of all your files, emails and other information you want to keep;

and..

3. You have a copy/original version of your operating system (in your case Win XP).


Now...., I ensure I have all three of the above steps, so here is my step-by-step procedure....

1. I ensure I have confidently backed up my files, emails, and all important files onto either a burned disc or a back-up drive.

2. Confirm you have these files!!!!!.... Make sure all your documents exist on a separate medium to the laptop. (I lost 500 images of my daughter because I didn't check to see if I have made a backup prior to re-formatting the Hard disc)

3. Make sure you also have reliable copies of the applications you are using. Often with programs like Microsoft Explorer and Firefox, you can download free from the internet anyway.

4. Insert your disc containing Windows XP and go through the "re-installation" procedure. When you are prompted to either repair or install a new installation of Windows XP, choose "New Installation".

5. During this procedure, you will be asked to format the hard drive.....

6. Windows will be installed...

7. You will need to install the multimedia drivers to get the sound and best video working

.

8. Install your common software applications.

9. Install your files and emails....

That sounds all easy. I know it will be a difficult learning curve.

Struth, I hope all that makes sense....

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

If you are using XP and want to reformat or upgrade the HDD, use files and settings transfer wizard, its part of XP.
It saves all your info to a set of files you can reinstall once the reformat and install of windows is done. Having said that I'd still backup all your data, image files etc to CD or DVD, remembering to copy the Transfer files folder to a CD as well.
I only format if there is a real problem or upgrading the HDD, in other words every couple of years. 2 or 3 times a year is a bit excessive. Keep up your Anti virus and Anti spyware progs, and do a clean up every now and then. Not being a fan of all these "tweaking" tools the only one I use is PCTools Registry Mechanic which I run about every 3 months, keep that section of the system in good nick and all will be well for a long time. As for defragmentation, if you are loading and deleteting lots of programs and data, probably once every couple of months, if not once a year is enough.

Bill

[zlatan24]

I heard about not bad application-repair dbx file, supports files of the .dbx format for Outlook Express versions 5, 5.5 and 6, repair dbx files of Outlook Express in the batch mode, recovers information from *.dbx files up to 4GB in size, repair corrupted *.dbx files of Outlook Express greater than 2 GB in size, the dbx repair tool recovers attached files.

[John K]

Great info, thanks everyone, getting around to doing this now so will let you know how I go.