Need help formatting computer!! plz!!

Question

Heyy, i need to format my computer but when i put in the cd and click install windows it says " your version of windows does not match the version on this cd, if you wish to replace it click OK, note: your files will not be able to be reccovered"(does that mean its gunna format it?) Or if i go on explore on start and right click on drive C, and click format it says cannot format please close all applications that are showing the contents of this drive or w/e. Can someone help me out with these messages? :) Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

I'll agree with "poebassman" on this.. Boot with the recovery/installation CD, then its hould work fine. You may get the same message that you got before: your version of windows does not match the version on this cd, if you wish to replace it click OK, note: your files will not be able to be reccovered & YES it does mean that the system will be formatted, the data erased, & new files would be copied from the CD to the Hard Drive.

Once the recovery is done, then the follow up should begin, which most people don't do & hence end up formatting the drive very often. here are the steps for you..

1) Format & recover the system.

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.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 knows sites for sending spyware/malware/spammers.

Answer 2

It may be because you had installed Service Pack updates to the computer.  You will need to reinstall any Service Packs once you reinstall Windows from scratch.

Answer 3

It sounds like you are trying to run the cd from within windows.   CLose out of the install and reboot.  When the system starts, it will say press a key to boot from the cd.  At that time, press a key.   Follow the prompts to install a fresh copy of windows including formating the hard drive.