Resetting my hard drive

[Nathan Sokalski]

I have a laptop on which I want to completely reset the hard drive, and then
put Windows XP back on. Although this sounds simple, I cannot remember the
steps to completely reset the drive (I seem to remember something about
pressing some key combination during bootup, or something like that). Can
someone please tell me how to reset the hard drive without leaving anything
behind, or possibly direct me to a site that gives instructions on how to do
this? Thanks.

 

[Rock]

I have a laptop on which I want to completely reset the hard drive, and then
put Windows XP back on. Although this sounds simple, I cannot remember the
steps to completely reset the drive (I seem to remember something about
pressing some key combination during bootup, or something like that). Can
someone please tell me how to reset the hard drive without leaving anything
behind, or possibly direct me to a site that gives instructions on how to do
this? Thanks.

<excess cross-posting removed>

What do you mean by reset? Restore to the configuration as received
from the factory? What is the brand and model? What does your system
come with: an installation CD, a recovery CD or a recovery partition?
Depending on how the system is set up will determine how to restore it.
Check the documentation that came with the computer or check with the
manufacturer's web site. You haven't really given enough information to
give you a specific answer.

 

[Guest]

If you provided the make and model, I might be able to help you!!

 

[Dave Patrick]

Boot the Windows XP install CD-Rom.

Setup inspects your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to
install the Setup and driver files. When the Microsoft Windows XP
Professional screen appears, press ENTER to set up Windows XP Professional.

Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of
the license agreement and continue the installation.

When the Windows XP Professional Setup screen appears, all the existing
partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard
disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an
existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must
then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System
partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this
step for each of the existing partitions When all the partitions are deleted
press F3 to exit setup, restart the pc then when you get to this point in
setup again select the unpartitioned space, and then press C to create a new
partition and specify the size. Windows will by default use all available
space.


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
|I have a laptop on which I want to completely reset the hard drive, and
then
| put Windows XP back on. Although this sounds simple, I cannot remember the
| steps to completely reset the drive (I seem to remember something about
| pressing some key combination during bootup, or something like that). Can
| someone please tell me how to reset the hard drive without leaving
anything
| behind, or possibly direct me to a site that gives instructions on how to
do
| this? Thanks.
| --
| Nathan Sokalski
| (e-mail address removed)
| http://www.nathansokalski.com/
|
|

 

[LVTravel]

Boot with the Windows XP CD and proceed to do a clean install. This will
remove all data, programs and operating system from the partition you
install XP onto. Read this site for help
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941 and here
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html (thanks Michael.)

Once this is installed, make sure the Windows firewall (at least) is running
and start updating the operating system to SP 2 and later patches from the
internet and/or disks provided by the manufacturer or downloaded. Make sure
all drivers (motherboard, video, sound, USB devices, etc.) are available and
installed before trying to install any programs.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I have a laptop on which I want to completely reset the hard drive,
and then put Windows XP back on. Although this sounds simple, I
cannot remember the steps to completely reset the drive (I seem to
remember something about pressing some key combination during bootup,
or something like that). Can someone please tell me how to reset the
hard drive without leaving anything behind, or possibly direct me to
a site that gives instructions on how to do this? Thanks.

Check the manual that came with the laptop. Check in Help and Support,
usually there is manufacturer specific info on restoring the system. Check
the manufacturers web site.
Since no one know what make or model laptop you have, that is the best I can
do.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Jonny]

Most laptops have some factory restoration CD or restore from hidden
partition to original factory XP installation.
Again the mind meld thing with another MVP to another OP. Must be something
in the soup.

 

[Jonny]

Alright Mike!
Please share your insight with your MVP comrades.