How to format windows computer ?

Question

Hello, I have a hp Dv2000 laptop with windows vista. Each time I open it, it seems to work, after I wrote my password and my session opens, it loads...forever and doesn't work. I think I might have a virus... I have a Restore Dvd Vista disk and I want to reinstall windows and format the computer. I don't have anything to backup and I already tried a system restoration and it doesn't work. I just want to know how to format the computer and reinstall windows just like if it was new. Thanks.

Answer 1

On the HP DV2000 series they make it really easy.  During the startup just press the F11 key as soon as you see it display any picture on the screen.  This will prompt the system recovery partition.

From there choose the System Recovery and make sure you click Advanced Options so you can select Destructive Recovery.  After that it'll take about an hour and fix the computer.

Answer 2

0) Take out all the extra H/W that your computer did not come with, Printers, USB peripherals, etc.

1) Format & recover the system. To format, either use the windows CD that came with the computer (boot with the CD in the drive, it should be picked up by default) or when booting when you see your computer logo, start tapping F10 This should take you to a recovery menu. If you have updated your system regularly & have the latest Service Packs, you may get a message ike the version of windows on the system is newer than what you are trying to install. Go ahead & install anyways.

2) Install a good AV BEFORE you plug internet in.

3) Update AV the FIRST thing when you go online.

4) Enable windows Updates so that your computer has all the available patches. In fact I'd say after updating AV, go to windowsupdates.Microsoft.com & get ALL the updates.

5) Now get a good Firewall if you have a always on internet connection.

6) Get some good Anti Spyware/Malware too, Spybot "Search & Destroy" & "Ad-Aware" are what I use, they are good & they come free. Also get something like McAfee's Siteadvisor, which warns you which sites are known sites for sending spyware/malware/spammers.