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Formatting old computer, any ideas?

Discussion in 'Other Hardware' started by jamiescottlomax, Apr 15, 2008.

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  1. Matthew TechSpot Editor, Community Manager

    Matthew, Apr 19, 2008
    #21

  2. captaincranky TechSpot Addict

    Sometimes you have to wipe the drive completely and start over. This is your "buy a new HDD" idea without the expense. As long as you have a full version of Windows (CD) you can just follow the screen instructions and make the install. Now the only problem, we have is whether the Windows CD that you may have, is not already registered to another owner, since you won't be able to activate it if it is.
    With a clean (or new drive) I would create a partition (C:/)of say 30 or 40 GB to install the OS and programs and the rest of the drive I would dedicate to "Volume" storage.
    Software is available to "wipe" a HDD, either, paid or a free downloadable iso burnable (to CD) file>

    What does everybody else think about that idea?

    Zeno; The "Deepburner" at download.com is supposed to be a good free utility. One caveat; I think there's some adware in the installer package, but I think you can opt out. It's just an "uncheck"me box.
    captaincranky, Apr 19, 2008
    #22

  3. Cybersciver Newcomer, in training

    Far as I can see Cpn Kranky is spot on.
    Boot from something like 'Disk Wipe' and totally erase the entire disk contents.
    Then boot from your Windows disk and install.
    Windows will format (painlessly) as part of the installation process.
    Cybersciver, Apr 20, 2008
    #23

  4. SNGX1275 TechSpot Special Forces

    There shouldn't be any problem just using the Windows install disk to format the partition, I believe he's already been to that point and just got confused and backed out.

    Now if he got confused during the Windows setup and couldn't get that straightened out I think it is a mistake to have him try to download, burn, boot from (which he apparently can't do anyway because of some bios password preventing reconfiguring), delete partitions, and then try to get Windows installed.

    In fact the only hope there is that his BIOS is set to look towards the cd drive after it doesn't find an OS on the HDD. There is no guarentee that it is, and if it isn't, we've just hosed his system.

    He's already been to the right places doing it the way I outlined above (In the first reply to this thread, post #2, and also again in post #6). His post 9 and 11 show he's been to the right place. But for whatever reason he's apparently not making a selection.
    SNGX1275, Apr 20, 2008
    #24

  5. Cybersciver Newcomer, in training

    Fair enough, that's why the simpler approach could work better for him. He wants to erase everything on the old computer and the best way to do that is to use a specialised utility available on CD for a couple of bucks. If he can follow the instructions how to use that he's all set to install Windows when it's finished.
    Cybersciver, Apr 21, 2008
    #25

  6. SNGX1275 TechSpot Special Forces

    Absolutely untrue. The Windows disk on a New Installation will format the partition.

    This guy is having a hell of a time doing it with 1 disk when the instructions are right on the screen in front of him, asking him to obtain, burn, and successfully use another utility is asking too much. Plus my point about not knowing whether he'll even be able to boot off the CD once his HD is wiped.

    The only reason to have a specialized utility is if you had sensitive information on the drive and were selling the computer, and the only reason that would be better is because you could potentially do a several pass writing of 1s and 0s.
    SNGX1275, Apr 21, 2008
    #26

  7. Matthew TechSpot Editor, Community Manager

    Frankly, I regret suggesting GParted for two reasons. One, if jamiescottlomax is having trouble with something as simple as the Windows CD, there isn't much hope for them to be using GParted. Secondly, there is literally no reason to use GParted when the partition utilities integrated within the XP CD are plenty sufficient.

    I mean absolutely no offense to you, jamiescottlomax, and I'm not questioning your intelligence. We all excel at one thing or another. I would like to make the final suggestion to you, that you take the machine to a "professional" and pay for their service. With all of the hours you are spending on trying to figure this out, you could just work a bit of overtime and pay someone to do it and do it right.
    Matthew, Apr 21, 2008
    #27
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