Formatting my computer?

Question

I want to format or re-format my computer but if I do this will I just need the one disk format it and be able to continue on like nothing was ever wrong(except the erasing my files)? or will I have to install a bunch of other stuff?

Answer 1

if you don't want your data loss

back up it..

one thing is that at the installation time u can just format one drive only.

but after installation you can format one by one drive

if u have a virus problem with that drive do not access. before scan.

then transfer data to other partition as back up then format with dos of windows.

second thing is more dangerous.

you need to back up all disk data in to DVD or as well as your requirement.

with the winxp installation disk delete the partition one by one (all) then recreate it.

then format it with dos/windows after installation.

Answer 2

You will have to install all the drivers needed...

Answer 3

Depends on what you're actually *meaning* by "format", but if we take the classical example, you'll be left with a completely, and I mean 100% TOTALLY bare hard disc. If you're lucky it may leave you a bare-bones installation of DOS or XP recovery console that will allow you to view directories in text mode, etc, but little else. Be prepared for powering up the PC and having it completely fail to load windows or anything, as there's nothing there to load any more - like wiping a blackboard clean.

You'll want to save all your documents, music, photos, downloaded programs etc off to CDR/DVD/external disc, possibly do a full-disc backup for good measure as well, and make sure you have the boot/installation discs for Windows and all your major applications handy too. And a whole bundle of time, as in, probably an entire day if not two.

However, it's rarely necessary any more these days, systems are a lot more robust, and have more ways of recovering from major disc-hammering corruption - system restore points, last known good configurations, driver rollbacks, etcetera. What's gone so wrong that you want to zero the entire thing and start over?

Answer 4

When you format a hard drive, it wipes every file on the drive.  You will have to completely reinstall Windows and all other programs after a format.  If your computer came with a "recovery disk", it will normally have Windows and any programs that came with your computer on it, and will reinstall them all if you run that disk.  Any programs that you got from other disk, downloaded, etc., you will have to reinstall separately.

It will also wipe any pictures, music, videos, data, e-mail, etc. that you have stored on the hard drive. So be sure to back up any files like that you want to a CD or DVD before formatting the computer.

Answer 5

if u want to format better take backup and u also restore ur computer by gng through start->accessories->system tools->system restore u can restore your computer but all your software ll also get restored