What if I want to reformat my hard drive?

[Displaced Flames fan]

I'm at a loss. My computer is infested and I can't get rid of it. Can't even run my anti-spyware/virus programs. System Restore doesn't work.

1. How do I reformat my hard drive?
2. Will the OS remain or am I going to have to go buy the software that came free on the PC?
3. Is this a stupid course of action?

[Caged Great]

The OS will not remain when you format the hard drive. You'll have to reinstall it.

[Displaced Flames fan]

I guess I probably have the CD's to do that and I kind of knew that anyway.

This problem has completely throttled my AVG. I can't even open it now.

[Caged Great]

I had a similar problem with my laptop a couple of months ago. I had to completely format the drive in order to fix it. It works fine now.

[Displaced Flames fan]

It can't be as simple as typing format in the C prompt can it?

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

It can't be as simple as typing format in the C prompt can it?

in the old days yes, but i doubt Windows will let you format the drive while it's running. your best bet is to get an XP or Vista CD from a friend and boot to it. the Windows installer will have options to format your drive and then you can do a clean install right after

EDIT: just so you know, formatting a hard drive erases everything, making it unusable unless you have an operating system to put on it. so i wouldn't do anything until you get a Windows disc

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I'm at a loss. My computer is infested and I can't get rid of it. Can't even run my anti-spyware/virus programs. System Restore doesn't work.

1. How do I reformat my hard drive?

**This method is probably the easiest method to get you up and running, but if you can avoid using a system restore disc, that is, you have a real windows install disc I would suggest it. Just follow the directions with that disc, and choose whatever option says format and install***

I assume you are running windows. If so, you probably have a restore disc that came from your computer manufacturer. If you do, stick it in your cd/dvd drive and restart your computer. It will either boot from the cd drive and a screen will come up from your restore disc or just boot normally into windows.

If it boots normally into windows, you need to change your boot order so it comes before your HDD. You do this in your BIOS. To access your BIOS depends on your motherboard, but the basic idea is restart your computer and on the screen somewhere it will say hit <key name> to enter BIOS. Normally it is F1 - F8 or ESC. When this message shows up, hit that key and you will enter the screen to change your BIOS. You might need to reboot one more time and tap the key for it to work.

In your BIOS, look for a menu that says boot order, or boot devices. In that menu, you will be able to alter your boot order. Move the DVD/CD drive above the HDD. Save and Exit the BIOS screen. This should boot your computer from the disc drive and start the system restore.

The system restore disc will guide you through it pretty straightforward.

2. Will the OS remain or am I going to have to go buy the software that came free on the PC?

The OS and everything else on the computer will be gone, ensure you back up all (important) files before trying this. Chances are you have a copy of either a restore disc or copy of windows that came with your computer. Even if you do not have this disc, you can recover the product key using Belarc Advisor and then download the correct version ( via torrent) and use it to install a legit copy.

3. Is this a stupid course of action?

No, I format my computer whenever anything goes bad. I would never dream of going more than a year without a clean install on my machine.

[Azure]

Make sure you have all the important data on it.

Reinstalling Windows is your best bet. It formats the drive for you when you install.

Realize that you basically start over fresh though.

[sclitheroe]

If you are asking a question like this, you need to find someone experienced to help you, or you are going to lose all kinds of data you haven't thought about but probably wanted to keep.

Stuff like browser bookmarks, your address book, downloaded email, etc, can all be tucked away in spots that aren't that obvious to a first time formatter to backup. Depending on where you may have bought music online, there are licenses in Windows Media Player that need backing up. You may have applications that require deactivation prior to the wipe (Adobe apps, some MS apps, etc), or they will be a pain to reinstall. Even your current wallpaper, if you set it from the browser, is not necessarily in an obvious spot in My Documents.

I'm in no way knocking your computer skills, but its a royal pain to go through the experience of discovering, bit by bit, all the little things you wish you'd backed up before the format.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Even if you do not have this disc, you can recover the product key using Belarc Advisor and then download the correct version ( via torrent) and use it to install a legit copy.

Bad advice.

For the love of all that is pure and virus free, do not download an iso of Windows from a torrent site - you'll never, ever, be able to feel 100% certain there isn't a rootkit, keylogger, or some other nasty tucked away in there.

I suppose if you knew the MD5 hash of a legit ISO, you could compare, but that's far beyond the scope of the experience level we are dealing with in this thread.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

If you are asking a question like this, you need to find someone experienced to help you, or you are going to lose all kinds of data you haven't thought about but probably wanted to keep.

Stuff like browser bookmarks, your address book, downloaded email, etc, can all be tucked away in spots that aren't that obvious to a first time formatter to backup. Depending on where you may have bought music online, there are licenses in Windows Media Player that need backing up. You may have applications that require deactivation prior to the wipe (Adobe apps, some MS apps, etc), or they will be a pain to reinstall. Even your current wallpaper, if you set it from the browser, is not necessarily in an obvious spot in My Documents.

I'm in no way knocking your computer skills, but its a royal pain to go through the experience of discovering, bit by bit, all the little things you wish you'd backed up before the format.

Feel free to knock my computer skills, they are in need of knocking.

That said, my only music is on iTunes and 99.99% of that is stuff I converted from CD's I own. I only use web email. I might save some pictures to a CD, but I have very few of those as well.

Really don't have any applications that I use that fit your description, at least not that come to mind. Unfortunately, for me, I use this thing for very little other than web browsing.

As of this moment, I have yet to locate my OS CD's. Who knows where I put them.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Bad advice.

For the love of all that is pure and virus free, do not download an iso of Windows from a torrent site - you'll never, ever, be able to feel 100% certain there isn't a rootkit, keylogger, or some other nasty tucked away in there.

I suppose if you knew the MD5 hash of a legit ISO, you could compare, but that's far beyond the scope of the experience level we are dealing with in this thread.

the version of Windows i'm running right now is from a torrent site. they're fine as long as you go to the right site and know what it is you're getting

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

the version of Windows i'm running right now is from a torrent site. they're fine as long as you go to the right site and know what it is you're getting

And how do you know what it is you are getting? Seriously.... advocating this kind of stuff is just irresponsible, particularly when you are dealing with people that don't have enough experience to make an informed decision or evaluate the risk properly.

[WindomURL]

Besides, DFF has made it known that he just doesn't do torrents; he tried it once and never got into it.

(Sorry for the knock, friend)

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Bad advice.

For the love of all that is pure and virus free, do not download an iso of Windows from a torrent site - you'll never, ever, be able to feel 100% certain there isn't a rootkit, keylogger, or some other nasty tucked away in there.

I suppose if you knew the MD5 hash of a legit ISO, you could compare, but that's far beyond the scope of the experience level we are dealing with in this thread.

You are 100% correct, I did not consider that. I have a copied disc of XP that I use for this purpose, and I was just trying to give him the easiest option to get a copy for his own use.

As an alternative, borrow/copy a disc (ensure it is the same version) from a friend and use it with your own product key.

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

the version of Windows i'm running right now is from a torrent site. they're fine as long as you go to the right site and know what it is you're getting

That's what I was thinking, however sclith does have a point considering the skill level of DFF.

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

As of this moment, I have yet to locate my OS CD's. Who knows where I put them.

Chances are you are looking for something that is labeled a "System Restore Disc For <Insert Computer Name>". It might not even say "Windows XP" on it, depending on the model/age of the computer. I know my Dell discs are pretty clearly labeled but I have had some older computers restore discs that are not.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Rathji

You are 100% correct, I did not consider that. I have a copied disc of XP that I use for this purpose, and I was just trying to give him the easiest option to get a copy for his own use.

As an alternative, borrow/copy a disc (ensure it is the same version) from a friend and use it with your own product key.



That's what I was thinking, however sclith does have a point considering the skill level of DFF.



Chances are you are looking for something that is labeled a "System Restore Disc For <Insert Computer Name>". It might not even say "Windows XP" on it, depending on the model/age of the computer. I know my Dell discs are pretty clearly labeled but I have had some older computers restore discs that are not.

I know exactly what I'm looking for, but it's a matter of remembering where I decided to store them.

On the other hand, I did find the Vista disc for my daughters laptop....hmmmmm.

I must've painted a pretty sketchy picture of myself in this sub-forum by now!

[mykalberta]

Rebuilding with a ghost image is how I normally hande issues at work.

Have you tried going into safemode?

For OS licensing, dont worry about it, bit torrent the OS and then use your Key that should be on a sticker on your computer.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Rebuilding with a ghost image is how I normally hande issues at work.

Have you tried going into safemode?

For OS licensing, dont worry about it, bit torrent the OS and then use your Key that should be on a sticker on your computer.

Yeah, I can run pretty good in safe mode. I can't fix anything in safe mode and system restore is not functioning.