Clean formatting HD for WinXP-How?

  • Thread starter Thread starter W.Madison
  • Start date Start date
W

W.Madison

I run Windows XP Home on a P4 2.0GHz, 40GB HD, 256MB RAM. I have,
unfortunately, an OEM version of XP Home. This past weekend I wanted to
clean install my WinXP, but with the Recovery discs, I only get the option
of Non-destructive recovery or Quick format.

I know how on every other version of Windows, but what ever I tried didn't
work on XP.

I searched the Internet, but either didn't find what I need or didn't
understand it.:-)

Two questions:

1. How do you do a full format on WinXP Home? I didn't get a boot floppy and
was told the DOS boot disks won't work.

2. If I do a full format can I simply restore my WinXP Home from the
Recovery CD's that came with the computer? I was afraid to try anything
until I got answers, and my tech support sucks. Needless to say I will never
purchase from them again, I had paid extra to have a retail version of WinXP
installed on an empty drive but did not get that after all.

I don't want to be stuck without a computer until I go buy a retail version
of Windows.

TIA for any help.

Wendy
 
-----Original Message-----
I run Windows XP Home on a P4 2.0GHz, 40GB HD, 256MB RAM. I have,
unfortunately, an OEM version of XP Home. This past weekend I wanted to
clean install my WinXP, but with the Recovery discs, I only get the option
of Non-destructive recovery or Quick format.

I know how on every other version of Windows, but what ever I tried didn't
work on XP.

I searched the Internet, but either didn't find what I need or didn't
understand it.:-)

Two questions:

1. How do you do a full format on WinXP Home? I didn't get a boot floppy and
was told the DOS boot disks won't work.

2. If I do a full format can I simply restore my WinXP Home from the
Recovery CD's that came with the computer? I was afraid to try anything
until I got answers, and my tech support sucks. Needless to say I will never
purchase from them again, I had paid extra to have a retail version of WinXP
installed on an empty drive but did not get that after all.

I don't want to be stuck without a computer until I go buy a retail version
of Windows.

TIA for any help.

Wendy

--
W.Madison
http://www.wmadison.150m.com/


.
Copy and paste below URL to your browser and scroll down
Click to expand...
to: "How to Format", also many other tools/info
available to troubleshoot: Repair XP
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
 
Greetings --

You'll need to contact the manufacturer of your PC to get a
definitive answer, but most OEM Recovery CDs are designed to
completely eradicate your current installation and return the hard
drive to the same condition (software-wise) that it was in when it
left the factory. Naturally, this process also erases any software
applications you've since installed, and also destroys any personal
data that you have saved on the hard drive. Your OEM Recovery CD
seems to also offer you the opportunity to perform a repair, but this
is rare.

The Quick Format option of your Recovery CD _should_ give you a
clean installation, plus add any "features" and utilities that the
PC's manufacturer thinks you need.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
Thanks for the quick answer. What I want to know though, is can I format
this drive and install a retail version of Windows XP instead of the OEM
version that came with it, or would that be impossible without buying a new
hard drive?

I did contact the manufacturer, and they won't tell me anything other than
to just run the recovery disc. And, the so called Non-destructive option
will disable any third party software that is installed. I tried it.

Wendy
 
Thanks, Harry. I plan to buy a retail version soon. I had paid extra money
for a retail copy that I wasn't given. The OEM versions suck.

Wendy

Harry Ohrn said:
Wendy there should be no reason why you can't format your hard drive and
install a retail version of XP. You do not have to purchase another hard
drive. Boot with the retail version of XP and follow the instructions here
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm
--

Harry Ohrn - MS MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


W.Madison said:
Thanks for the quick answer. What I want to know though, is can I format
this drive and install a retail version of Windows XP instead of the OEM
version that came with it, or would that be impossible without buying a new
hard drive?

I did contact the manufacturer, and they won't tell me anything other than
to just run the recovery disc. And, the so called Non-destructive option
will disable any third party software that is installed. I tried it.

Wendy
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
It really sucks when a vendor promises and then doesn't deliver.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


W.Madison said:
Thanks, Harry. I plan to buy a retail version soon. I had paid extra money
for a retail copy that I wasn't given. The OEM versions suck.

Wendy

Harry Ohrn said:
Wendy there should be no reason why you can't format your hard drive and
install a retail version of XP. You do not have to purchase another hard
drive. Boot with the retail version of XP and follow the instructions here
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm
--

Harry Ohrn - MS MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


W.Madison said:
Thanks for the quick answer. What I want to know though, is can I format
this drive and install a retail version of Windows XP instead of the OEM
version that came with it, or would that be impossible without buying
Click to expand...
a
new
hard drive?

I did contact the manufacturer, and they won't tell me anything other than
to just run the recovery disc. And, the so called Non-destructive option
will disable any third party software that is installed. I tried it.

Wendy

Greetings --

You'll need to contact the manufacturer of your PC to get a
definitive answer, but most OEM Recovery CDs are designed to
completely eradicate your current installation and return the hard
drive to the same condition (software-wise) that it was in when it
left the factory. Naturally, this process also erases any software
applications you've since installed, and also destroys any personal
data that you have saved on the hard drive. Your OEM Recovery CD
seems to also offer you the opportunity to perform a repair, but this
is rare.

The Quick Format option of your Recovery CD _should_ give you a
clean installation, plus add any "features" and utilities that the
PC's manufacturer thinks you need.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


I run Windows XP Home on a P4 2.0GHz, 40GB HD, 256MB RAM. I have,
unfortunately, an OEM version of XP Home. This past weekend I wanted
to
clean install my WinXP, but with the Recovery discs, I only get the
option
of Non-destructive recovery or Quick format.

I know how on every other version of Windows, but what ever I tried
didn't
work on XP.

I searched the Internet, but either didn't find what I need or
didn't
understand it.:-)

Two questions:

1. How do you do a full format on WinXP Home? I didn't get a boot
floppy and
was told the DOS boot disks won't work.

2. If I do a full format can I simply restore my WinXP Home from the
Recovery CD's that came with the computer? I was afraid to try
anything
until I got answers, and my tech support sucks. Needless to say I
will never
purchase from them again, I had paid extra to have a retail version
of WinXP
installed on an empty drive but did not get that after all.

I don't want to be stuck without a computer until I go buy a retail
version
of Windows.

TIA for any help.

Wendy
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
W.Madison said:
I run Windows XP Home on a P4 2.0GHz, 40GB HD, 256MB RAM. I have,
unfortunately, an OEM version of XP Home. This past weekend I wanted to
clean install my WinXP, but with the Recovery discs, I only get the option
of Non-destructive recovery or Quick format.

I know how on every other version of Windows, but what ever I tried didn't
work on XP.

I searched the Internet, but either didn't find what I need or didn't
understand it.:-)

Two questions:

1. How do you do a full format on WinXP Home? I didn't get a boot floppy and
was told the DOS boot disks won't work.

2. If I do a full format can I simply restore my WinXP Home from the
Recovery CD's that came with the computer? I was afraid to try anything
until I got answers, and my tech support sucks. Needless to say I will never
purchase from them again, I had paid extra to have a retail version of WinXP
installed on an empty drive but did not get that after all.

I don't want to be stuck without a computer until I go buy a retail version
of Windows.

TIA for any help.

Wendy

--
W.Madison
http://www.wmadison.150m.com/

ok you can do a repair without recovery ok this is Jeff recovery is the
Click to expand...
last option not the best ok only when you really need recovery you should
use it
 
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