Laura
December 5th 03, 11:01 PM
How do I create a Windows Boot Disk? I've searched the
help and can't find how to do this. And what 2
additional files do I need to put on it?
>-----Original Message-----
>You have not screwed up your system, let out a deep
>breath. If you are trying to accomplish a full reload
>and not just re-intall windows then there are somethings
>you need to take into consideration.
>
>Do you have a full version of XP and is it on CD?
>(if a downloaded version did you back it off to CD?
>
>If you did not buy XP do you have the manufacturer
>restore CD's that allow you to fully reload your system.
>(case in point - one of my machines from Compaq came
>loaded with XP on a recovery partiton, but no CD's. So
>fully wiping my hard drive would have been certain
death,
>and I would have had to order them from Compaq (at a
>price) However they did include a feature to create one
>set of restore CD's for my machine. I did this so that
I
>would have a good copy and not have to purchase them.)
>Be sure you know exactly what you have from the
>manufacturer is restore CD's and not just driver CD's.
>
>Is all of your data that you want to keep saved to
>external media like a CD or other internal hard drive
etc?
>
>Do you have all the drivers you need for you machine and
>it's devices?
>
>If so then you are ready to begin. If you want to wipe
>you hard drive first there are free programs that will
>work for such a matter as erasing everything on it
before
>you begin. One of the programs that I use for low level
>erasing is Active@ Killdisk v 2.0. The trial version
>will do just fine for your case.
>
>You will have to create a Windows Boot Disk and add two
>files from the program to it.
>
>After you erase the drive (all partitions) unless you
>have a recovery partition like stated above. Be sure
>which you are erasing. Then reload Windows.
>
>Have Fun... and follow the White Rabbit
>>-----Original Message-----
>>I wanted to rebuild my PC. I tried going through the
re-
>>installation of Windows XP Professional, and while that
>>DID re-install Windows, what I wanted to do is a
>complete
>>rebuild of the entire system.
>>
>>So first question is..... Is there any way to do this?
>>Like a complete reformat of the hard drive.
>>
>>Next, if this isn't possible and a re-installation of
>the
>>OS is all I can do, then how do I clean up my system as
>>far as software previously loaded, etc. goes? Because
>>now when I go into Add/Remove Software NOTHING
appears.
>>But if I go into Windows Explorer, I've got all my
>>programs etc. there.
>>
>>Additionally, now when I boot up, it goes to some kind
>of
>>multiple boot menu, where I get to choose what OS I
want
>>to use. But both entries say Windows XP Professional.
>I
>>didn't have multiple boot before and I certainly didn't
>>set it up on the re-install.
>>
>>I think I really screwed up my PC by doing the re-
>>install, but now I'm just trying to recover. Any help?
>>
>>Thanks.
>>.
>>
>.
>
help and can't find how to do this. And what 2
additional files do I need to put on it?
>-----Original Message-----
>You have not screwed up your system, let out a deep
>breath. If you are trying to accomplish a full reload
>and not just re-intall windows then there are somethings
>you need to take into consideration.
>
>Do you have a full version of XP and is it on CD?
>(if a downloaded version did you back it off to CD?
>
>If you did not buy XP do you have the manufacturer
>restore CD's that allow you to fully reload your system.
>(case in point - one of my machines from Compaq came
>loaded with XP on a recovery partiton, but no CD's. So
>fully wiping my hard drive would have been certain
death,
>and I would have had to order them from Compaq (at a
>price) However they did include a feature to create one
>set of restore CD's for my machine. I did this so that
I
>would have a good copy and not have to purchase them.)
>Be sure you know exactly what you have from the
>manufacturer is restore CD's and not just driver CD's.
>
>Is all of your data that you want to keep saved to
>external media like a CD or other internal hard drive
etc?
>
>Do you have all the drivers you need for you machine and
>it's devices?
>
>If so then you are ready to begin. If you want to wipe
>you hard drive first there are free programs that will
>work for such a matter as erasing everything on it
before
>you begin. One of the programs that I use for low level
>erasing is Active@ Killdisk v 2.0. The trial version
>will do just fine for your case.
>
>You will have to create a Windows Boot Disk and add two
>files from the program to it.
>
>After you erase the drive (all partitions) unless you
>have a recovery partition like stated above. Be sure
>which you are erasing. Then reload Windows.
>
>Have Fun... and follow the White Rabbit
>>-----Original Message-----
>>I wanted to rebuild my PC. I tried going through the
re-
>>installation of Windows XP Professional, and while that
>>DID re-install Windows, what I wanted to do is a
>complete
>>rebuild of the entire system.
>>
>>So first question is..... Is there any way to do this?
>>Like a complete reformat of the hard drive.
>>
>>Next, if this isn't possible and a re-installation of
>the
>>OS is all I can do, then how do I clean up my system as
>>far as software previously loaded, etc. goes? Because
>>now when I go into Add/Remove Software NOTHING
appears.
>>But if I go into Windows Explorer, I've got all my
>>programs etc. there.
>>
>>Additionally, now when I boot up, it goes to some kind
>of
>>multiple boot menu, where I get to choose what OS I
want
>>to use. But both entries say Windows XP Professional.
>I
>>didn't have multiple boot before and I certainly didn't
>>set it up on the re-install.
>>
>>I think I really screwed up my PC by doing the re-
>>install, but now I'm just trying to recover. Any help?
>>
>>Thanks.
>>.
>>
>.
>