Windows?

[Cormeh]

I am need of technical assistance, I'm currently attempting to clear up two computers in my house for a new broadband package and plus, they really need it.

I have one comp that is not connected to the net which I'd like to clear entirely, i.e. wipe all programs from it, and have it restored to windows only. I've tried using the installation CD, but that tells me I can't do this because the comp has a newer version than the CD. Windows help doesn't help me much because I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing exactly. :rolling:

(I've tried searching the net and all of that for formatting help, reinstalling help and the like, but like I say I'm not sure what exactly I'm looking for).

This computer I'm using right now doesn't need to be completely wiped, but I think it may need cleaned up a bit soon, so I'm looking for a similar but no so harsh way of clearing it. If I was to reinstall windows, or whatever, can I keep all devices (USB Webcam, USB mouse, USB modem etc) connected without the system losing all driver info, or do they have to be removed and reinstalled? (Have no worries about losing installed games and ripped music).

Bleh, this is a ramble, but hopefully someone can make some sense of it and guide my pathetically unknowledgable self through this. ;(

 

[[RnL]Stefan]

first check, what windows is installed on the "wiped" pc and what version your cd holds. this usually happens when you try to reinstall winxp with xp home or 2000 (or 98)... in windows. if you're sure that you have the right cd, restart your computer with the cd, don't boot windows.

when it's done, do not connect this pc to the internet until you installed at least SP2 (assuming its running xp)

 

[Cormeh]

Thanks for the reply.

restart your computer with the cd, don't boot windows.

I'm sure it's the right CD, so.... how do I not boot windows? There's a few options when I F8 on start up, but I'm still unsure as to what they all do. :/

 

[Tyguy]

Reformatting your PC will get rid of everything including device software. You will be starting over and will have to remember what you had and redownload/install it. As far as windows not letting you reformat, just check what version you have. If it still wont let you, im not sure.

 

[Cole]

I'm sure it's the right CD, so.... how do I not boot windows? There's a few options when I F8 on start up, but I'm still unsure as to what they all do. :/

Simply when you put the CD in, the computer shouldn't boot up into windows but rather boot from the CD.

 

[Shasta]

I'm sure it's the right CD, so.... how do I not boot windows? There's a few options when I F8 on start up, but I'm still unsure as to what they all do. :/

I seriously question your ability to reformat / re-setup etc a computer if you don't even know how to boot from a bootable cd, or know and understand the different bios commands. Did you even know it was called bios??!! Not "F8"!!

I'm not trying to make fun of you here dude, but I think you might want to tackle some more basic stuff before you get into this sort of thing. Reformatting and setting up a computer, with all the right drivers, settings, etc, can become tricky if you don't really know what you are doing, especially when something unexpected happens. And it will.

 

[Asus]

Go into bios and tell it to boot from CD drive first rather than the hard drive.

 

[Fliko]

When you reformat, make sure you have drivers for your Ethernet port if needed

 

[giant384]

When you reformat, make sure you have drivers for your Ethernet port if needed

or in other words motherboard chipset drivers

 

[hungryduck]

When you reformat, make sure you have drivers for your Ethernet port if needed

it helps to put all the drivers you will need to reinstall on a CD or USB drive before reformatting.

 

[Cormeh]

Well, it went fine. No problems. Although I think my technological meddling set off a nuke in North Korea. D: