How do I reformat my computer
I just aquired a free labtop that is about 6 years old. The computer has windows 98 and i would like to wipe the hard drive and install XP. I was wondering if anyone could either give me instructions of how to do this or give me a link to a web site.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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its quite simple, boot to the XP disk and during the setup you will be presented with several options for where you want to install XP, one of which is to wipe the drive (delete the partition). 0 -
If you're working with the OEM version of XP (which is what I recommend), just put the CD into the drive and the install wizard will take you through it. You want:
-a new installation (not an upgrade),
-you want the OS installed on the C partition on your drive (which should be formatted in the NTFS standard rather than the FAT standard for most people's purposes),
-and when they ask you how to format choose the full format rather than the fast format.
Then.....you'll probably need to go to your device manager to figure out which of the devices in the machine still need drivers. Good luck finding those!0 -
If you have a computer with windows 98, you will NOT want to put XP on the computer. The computer will not have enough RAM memory to handle XP your computer will be slower then slow and you will be unhappy with it. 0 -
Since you're dealing with a 6 year old laptop, I'd highly recommend Windows 2000 Pro. Win XP hogs too many resources for older computers. Max out the RAM to what the BIOS will support, load Win2K and have a fun time with the laptop. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by spurgemastur
If you're working with the OEM version of XP (which is what I recommend), just put the CD into the drive and the install wizard will take you through it. You want:
-a new installation (not an upgrade),
-you want the OS installed on the C partition on your drive (which should be formatted in the NTFS standard rather than the FAT standard for most people's purposes),
-and when they ask you how to format choose the full format rather than the fast format.
Then.....you'll probably need to go to your device manager to figure out which of the devices in the machine still need drivers. Good luck finding those!
Actually as you've written this it will install on the existing C partion in a new directory other than Windows (windows.001) without deleting anything. He needs to actually choose to delete the partition.
And choose the quick format rather than then full which can take quite a long time and not really provide much more. Quick format deletes the file allocation table only and hence takes much less time.0 -
Id say windows 2k... as stated above
how the heck did u get a free laptop, i cant even find a super old one for 50 or so!0 -
quote:Originally posted by slipgate
quote:Originally posted by spurgemastur
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Actually as you've written this it will install on the existing C partion in a new directory other than Windows (windows.001) without deleting anything. He needs to actually choose to delete the partition.
And choose the quick format rather than then full which can take quite a long time and not really provide much more. Quick format deletes the file allocation table only and hence takes much less time.
Well.....I just did this to a computer last week, followed the instructions I gave and when I said: "install to C" I was warned: "this will erase everyting on C. Are you sure you want to proceed?" To which I said, "yes." It took everything off the drive and started over.
As for the full vs. fast format, maybe it's overkill but I feel better doing the complete format. Maybe takes an extra hour, but it's not like you have to babysit the machine while it's doing it.
Scrumpyjack and shoff14 make a good point: make sure that 6-year-old has the resources to handle XP before you do it, and if not, use an older OS instead.0 -
naah, doing a "full format" isn't overkill. not at all.
regarding other options, you can
-run a debug script to make the hard drive completely 'forget' everything about what was on it
-run a "DoD 5200.28-STD wipe" program to write zeros and random data all over the hard drive, replacing whatever was on it before
-use FDISK in DOS to manually delete all partitions and create a new one, then use FORMAT to format it. (but that would give you a FAT32 partition, not recommended.)
the best way to install XP (or win2000) is yes, to boot from the CD and use that to delete/create partitions. I would strongly recommend using a DOD wipe program (1 pass) to zero the hard drive first.
btw, I would recommend using the NTFS file system instead of FAT32.
and yes, most importantly, consider what the computer can handle. XP needs AT LEAST 300 mHz and 128 MB; 500 mHz and 256 mb is recommended. Win2000 does MUCH better on Win98-class computers. odds are if it came from the factory with Win98 it won't be able to handle WinXP. Win2000 does almost everything XP does, it just isn't as cozy.
really, having XP is worth it. if it can't do XP, I'd sell it and use that $ towards buying something that can.0 -
The computer is a "GenuineIntel" with 64mb ram. I just discovered there is not battery![xx(] Kinda defeats the purpose of a lab top. Are the battery's for lab tops internal or are they in like a removable slot?
But the reason i really need this computer is so my finance and i can both work on homework on the computer at the same time. All i need to run is Word and Excel. I also just dis coved there is no floppy drive, there is an empty slot in the front where i am guessing the floppy drive was. I was going to install a fresh windows 98 but i don't have a floppy drive to use a start up disk.0 -
quote:Originally posted by buschmaster
and yes, most importantly, consider what the computer can handle. XP needs AT LEAST 300 mHz and 128 MB; 500 mHz and 256 mb is recommended. Win2000 does MUCH better on Win98-class computers. odds are if it came from the factory with Win98 it won't be able to handle WinXP. Win2000 does almost everything XP does, it just isn't as cozy.
256MB recommendation is a joke. Without any programs running XP uses very close to 256 MB, anything over and you go to the page filing memory on the hard drive. Slowing the system down to a snails pace.0 -
take it out back and shoot it. 0 -
I miss the old days Format c:/*.* 0 -
Thanks for everyone's help. I wiped the drive and put a fresh copy win 98. The computer may not be the best, but i am just glad that i have learned how to do it. Thank for all the help guys! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by shoff14
quote:Originally posted by buschmaster
and yes, most importantly, consider what the computer can handle. XP needs AT LEAST 300 mHz and 128 MB; 500 mHz and 256 mb is recommended. Win2000 does MUCH better on Win98-class computers. odds are if it came from the factory with Win98 it won't be able to handle WinXP. Win2000 does almost everything XP does, it just isn't as cozy.256MB recommendation is a joke. Without any programs running XP uses very close to 256 MB, anything over and you go to the page filing memory on the hard drive. Slowing the system down to a snails pace.that's a lower limit recommendation. so is 500 mhz. try 128 mb like micro$oft's "hardware requirement" says.0
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