How do you format your hard drive?

[CofyCrakCocaine]

Heya folks,

Yes, I know, to many this will be an idiotic, retarded question, but I still need to ask it because I've never done it before. How does one uninstall then reinstall Windows? How does one format their hard drive? And when you back up your files, do you back up all the WINDOWS files too, or do those get reinstalled with the CD? What of graphics drivers, sound cards, and the like? Are those left intact with no need to reinstall, as implied by this XP Recovery CD I have sitting on my desk, or what?

Thanks for the help. And yes, I know. It's an obvious thing. But I'm being thorough by asking.

[drjoek]

I reformat my hard drive a few time s a week even though the priest told me it would make me go blind

[zentraed]

Heya folks,

Yes, I know, to many this will be an idiotic, retarded question, but I still need to ask it because I've never done it before. How does one uninstall then reinstall Windows? How does one format their hard drive? And when you back up your files, do you back up all the WINDOWS files too, or do those get reinstalled with the CD? What of graphics drivers, sound cards, and the like? Are those left intact with no need to reinstall, as implied by this XP Recovery CD I have sitting on my desk, or what?

Thanks for the help. And yes, I know. It's an obvious thing. But I'm being thorough by asking.

You don't really "uninstall" Windows unless you've performed an upgrade, but even then, it's probably a bad idea. To reinstall, simply put in the disc and let your computer boot off of the CD. I'm a little fuzzy on all the options, but you should be able to either a) repartition your hard drive (erase all the file information, and start fresh), b) overwrite an existing installation, or c) install to a new folder. The first option is what's meant by a fresh install.

You format in Windows by going to Disk Management. It's found in Computer Management (Control Panel/Administrative Tools, I think. Or, just right-click "My Computer" and select "Manage"). You have a couple of options: File System (NTFS, FAT), Simple or Dynamic (NTFS Only), and some RAID options for data redundancy.

I prefer to do image-based backup, rather than file-level backups. It lets you just dump the data to another hard drive and run again like nothing ever happened. MOST of your important data should be located outside of the Windows directory, like in your Documents and Settings folder.

Drivers are a different matter. If you bought your computer from Dell, then the Windows install has been modified to contain drivers your hardware requires. Backing up the Windows files doesn't equal having drivers for the install. XP is a bitch actually if you don't have a floppy drive (like my notebook) and you need something like a newer hard drive controller driver. Of course, that Recovery disk also has all the crap Dell pre-installs on it too...

So, if you want to just start fresh, get a decent backup program (preferably an image backup), then pop in your Windows CD and repartition and format your hard drive.

If it's an OEM, do the backup, then run the Factory Restore/Recovery Disk.

I need more threads.... Still stuck at work

[HBox]

The Windows XP install should have an option to format the hard drive. It sounds like you've bought you computer from a manufacturer like Dell or something if you have a recovery disk so all the drivers you need should be on there EXCEPT if you have components you bought and placed in afterwards. If you do you'll have to download those drives yourself (If you've bought and installed a wireless network adapter yourself make sure to download those drives ahead of time). If you didn't add anything to the computer yourself then everything you need should be on the recovery disk as far as system files go. (Although make sure you update your video card drivers afterwards anyway.)

If you have enough space on your external to make a copy of the whole hard drive you might as well. Just to be absolutely safe.

[nate1000]

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/964429/2/istockphoto_964429_horseshoe_magnet_1.jpg

[DolaMight]

http://lifehacker.com/software/windows/geek-to-live-how-to-format-your-hard-drive-and-install-windows-xp-from-scratch-157578.php

[topless_mike]

while the magnet works, i prefer a more neanderthallic method

http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/11/0,1425,sz=1&i=117034,00.jpg



in all seriousness, git yourself an external drive,
do a start/search/for files or folders

look for .jpg/.gif/ (your pix)
.mp3/.wav/.aac (your music)
.mpg/ .wmv/ .avi (your pr0n)

after thats moved over to an external drive, drop in your cd, and follow the instructions for a fresh install, repartition, etc.

it takes about 45 min and whamo- good as new.

[zentraed]

.mpg/ .wmv/ .avi (your pr0n)



my porn collection is old enough to need .asf, and ridiculuously large enough to need .vob too. i think there's some novelty .swf flash applets in there too

[topless_mike]

my porn collection is old enough to need .asf, and ridiculuously large enough to need .vob too. i think there's some novelty .swf flash applets in there too

i try to avoid the .asf files
i dont have the time or stamina to sit there and watch the whole clip.

[KC2OSO]

There's always fun in building a new collection. Agree though to archive what you have and move on. I like good olde MaxBlast or WipeDrive and fresh start. Takes longer but there's very little chance of anything reinfecting the drive.