Formatting my c drive

[Alasdair]

A few months ago, Window XP stopped loading cos it was
missing a driver. I managed to get it working again, by
re-installing it or something. However, now the
performance is poorer. Games run slowly, and programs
like outlook and explorer hang quite alot. I've checked
for errors ,but there doesn't seem to be a problem. I
figured it would be better to wipe the whole C drive. How
exactly do you go about that, and would it be worthwhile?
I was told to create a MS_DOS startup disk for when I've
wiped the drive and started the computer again. Is that
all I need?

[Jon_Hildrum]

Whether you want to do it or not is up to you. You may want to try a repair
install which would save your applications.

However, the easy way is just to set your bios to boot from the CD and
insert the WINXP CD. Reboot.

You will get the option during the install phase to format the drive. You
can do this and make a clean install on the selected drive.

You will also get an option to repair - ignore this and continue. Later if
you select the same drive and the same folder for the installation you will
get another option. You can try this one

--
Jon Hildrum
DTS MVP

www.hildrum.com
"Alasdair" > wrote in message
...
> A few months ago, Window XP stopped loading cos it was
> missing a driver. I managed to get it working again, by
> re-installing it or something. However, now the
> performance is poorer. Games run slowly, and programs
> like outlook and explorer hang quite alot. I've checked
> for errors ,but there doesn't seem to be a problem. I
> figured it would be better to wipe the whole C drive. How
> exactly do you go about that, and would it be worthwhile?
> I was told to create a MS_DOS startup disk for when I've
> wiped the drive and started the computer again. Is that
> all I need?

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Try these first if the computer is running slow:
Does this apply:
Some computers have issues with 811493 causing a slowdown, others do
not.
The issue seems to be a conflict with Windows Update 811493 and
antivirus applications.
Similar issues reported with McAfee, Norton, EZ Trust and possibly
others.
Uninstall 811493 from Control Panel Add/Remove Programs.
If a warning comes up about other applications, ignore it.
Uninstalling through Add/Remove Programs is far better than System
Restore to remove an application or fix.
Microsoft has stated they are working on the cause, so hopefully we
will get some definitive solution real soon.
Watch this link for status changes on this patch:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=819634

This may apply if you recently installed Windows XP Service Pack1:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q815411

Otherwise:
Run an updated virus scan.
Run Disk Cleanup checking all boxes except "Compress old files"
Run Defrag.
If you have file sharing software such as Kazaa, disable it.
Check this link:
http://www.aumha.org/a/noads.php
Run Ad-Aware (free version) or Spybot to check for spyware:
http://www.lavasoft.de/ (Update if you already have it)
Or
http://spybot.eon.net.au/ (Update if you already have it)

You do not need any boot disks to reinstall Winsows XP since the
Windows XP CD is bootable.
All installation and repair functions can be performed from the
Windows XP CD.
Clean Installation:
Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key and follow the
prompts for a Clean installation:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase all data on the
hard drive.
Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.

If your computer was shipped with Windows XP, these procedures may or
may not apply.
Check your manual or contact the computer manufacturer for more
details.


--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"Alasdair" > wrote in message
...
> A few months ago, Window XP stopped loading cos it was
> missing a driver. I managed to get it working again, by
> re-installing it or something. However, now the
> performance is poorer. Games run slowly, and programs
> like outlook and explorer hang quite alot. I've checked
> for errors ,but there doesn't seem to be a problem. I
> figured it would be better to wipe the whole C drive. How
> exactly do you go about that, and would it be worthwhile?
> I was told to create a MS_DOS startup disk for when I've
> wiped the drive and started the computer again. Is that
> all I need?