How to reformat with windows xp

[dead_indian_walking]

Hello, I need to reformat my computer, it already has xp, but It has a trojan, as such I need to reformat and intall xp again. CAn somebody please tell me step by step what to do to reformat and install xp.

[DJRumpy]

Just put your install CD in the CD-Rom player, and reboot. Pretty much all newer PC's support a bootable CD-Rom. It should boot into setup, and ask if you want to repair your install, or install a fresh copy. Just select the Install Fresh Copy option. Be sure that you let it reformat your partition.

[Cobra]

I have seen some PCs that boot from the hard drive even if there is a bootable CD in the drive due to the boot sequence being incorrect.

If it doesn't see the CD to boot up from and just boots from the hard drive, you may have to go into BIOS. Provided you do not touch anything other than the boot sequence, you can't mess it up. You need your boot sequence to be:

- Floppy
- CD-ROM
- HDD

That way, your computer will try to boot from a CD before it boots from the hard drive.

Once you've booted from the XP disc, it will guide you through. If you want a full erase, delete the partitions and tell it to do a full NTFS format on the drive, not a quick format. This ensures a clean installation.

Cobra

[Jayhawk]

Try this web site. It's dedicated to re-installing Windows and walks you through step-by-step.

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

[flaninacupboard]

It has a trojan, as such I need to reformat and intall xp again.

no you don't..... why can't you just remove it?

[DJRumpy]

I was assuming that the virus has already trashed too many files, making 'Repair' a non-viable option.

Good question though. Have you attempted to remove the virus with a free online scanner, removal tool, or local virus scan software?

[dead_indian_walking]

YEs, the trojan has infected my computr and has majour slow down and has done too much damage

[teegee420]

I have seen some PCs that boot from the hard drive even if there is a bootable CD in the drive due to the boot sequence being incorrect.

If it doesn't see the CD to boot up from and just boots from the hard drive, you may have to go into BIOS.

I'm sure this varies among different motherboards, but all I have to do is hit F8 during the boot sequence in order to select which drive I want to boot from.

[DJRumpy]

dead_indian_walking, did you find the setting we talked about in your bios?

[handyguy]

It's easier for us if we know what type of computer this is.....

Why not just make a startup disk, boot to it, type:
format c:/s
then run the setup cd?

[Cobra]

handyguy's suggestion is equally valid, I have done this myself a couple of times and it works just as well as deleting partitions and performing a full format from within Windows XP setup.

all I have to do is hit F8 during the boot sequence in order to select which drive I want to boot from.

I have seen some motherboards that check all devices anyway, regardless of boot sequence then give you a few seconds to decide which you want to boot from. It depends on your motherboard, I suppose - you must have a smarter board than me!

Cobra

[dead_indian_walking]

I have a Dell Dimension bought in 2000 December, how long does it take to full format and install xp on a 60GB

[flaninacupboard]

like most computer, probably around 45 mins, if you do a quick format, over an hour if you do a full format.