Reformating, re-install? Just get my computer back..

  • Thread starter Zhukov
  • 4 comments
  • 454 views
I'm getting more help here at GTP than other computer forums.. :ill: I'm thinking of reformatting my computer, or maybe a re-installation of Windows XP.

Problem reason: Cant click on 'start menu', and 'My Computer' is unresponding.. Made a new thread, because it's a different situation, please don't lock (ie: other forum).

I'm want my computer to run like it's new. The warranty is gone, and I ordered it four states away, so that's out of the question. Original disk are destroyed. I don't think I know much about computers, so don't "talk over my head"...I'm just in avionics..:P

Reformatting will wipe my hardrive, so I'm trying to back up stuff; my backups take a long time, is this normal (easy now, my first computer)? If, and when, I have backups on disk, do I need the original program that I made my backups with to re-install?

Does the operating system get deleted, or is it just put back in it's original condition, or should I go buy the OS software?
 
Few questions:

Do you have a copy of Windows XP on CD?

When you say you're making backups i understand you're using software to do this? Could you not just copy files and folders onto CD/DVD instead?

When you format the entire contents of the drive gets erased (unless you're using partitions, but you'd know if you are). You will lose everything that hasn't been backed up. Look at Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel and make a list (on paper) of the programs you have installed now that you want installed again after the format and make sure that you have the necessary installation files or CDs around for when you need to install them again after the format.

Before you format the most important things you need afterwards are - a copy of Windows on CD, drivers for your motherboard and drivers for your graphics card.
 
donbenni
Few questions:

Do you have a copy of Windows XP on CD?

No; destroyed. Willing to buy new version.

donbenni
When you say you're making backups i understand you're using software to do this? Could you not just copy files and folders onto CD/DVD instead?

I don't know, can I? I see how it copies the files to DVD/CD, but I am unclear on how to re-install them. I tried it, and it seams to work a lot faster, which is important since my computer moves slow; however, my backup software says the disc is empty. I also want to make sure my data was backed up correctly.

donbenni
When you format the entire contents of the drive gets erased (unless you're using partitions, but you'd know if you are). You will lose everything that hasn't been backed up. Look at Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel and make a list (on paper) of the programs you have installed now that you want installed again after the format and make sure that you have the necessary installation files or CDs around for when you need to install them again after the format.

Before you format the most important things you need afterwards are - a copy of Windows on CD, drivers for your motherboard and drivers for your graphics card.

A bit tough getting into the Add/Remove Programs, unless there is a way. I'm concerned I might forget something. I just want to make sure I have everything needed to get my computer like new, and some software I purchased (FrontPage and Hypersnap are the only two). Everything else, freebies, seams quicker just to re download.

Plague.Ghost
Have you run a virus-scan yet?

Yes, twice; nothing detected (fully updated PC-cillin). AdAware and Spybot detect no harmfull spyware; SpywareBlaster running in the background.
 
Another recovery option you may have is performing a repair from the boot screen of the windows CD, which may be a problem if you don't have it, but you may be able to used a friends or worst case buy one. Or if you could manage to navigate to the recovery console and restore to a previous date, before the crash. Look around there are a series of keyboard shortcut keys that will open the recovery console or the "run" window and get you where you need to be. However, I don't know these keys.

Good Luck

JParker
 
Back