reformatting a computer (read on)

[DVD_NDN]

hi

so, heres the low-down.
I have to try and wipe out a computer at work - just reformat it, nothing on there for saving, and re-install windows XP pro.
trouble is, whomever was using the computer last, had it all password protected, and was fired without releasing the passwords.
SO. how can I totally wipe out the computer, and start fresh, keeping in mind I cannot get into windows at all (no safe mode, nothing)?

any ideas? anything?

[aedipuss]

boot from a ms-dos floopy disc. fdisk the hard drive and delete all partitions. boot from xp cd and reformat/install.

[bigstusexy]

Do you have to do it? Sounds like a job for the IT people. If you do then get the XP disc and load it in. The system should be able to boot from it, if not then go into the computer's bios (there is usually a message at the start of the computer telling you how) from there you'll find an option to select the boot order or devices to boot from. Make sure CDRom is before the hard drive or first.


When you get to the xp install just keep selecting the options for you to install (it will ask you if you want to repair, recover etc etc) there will be a section asking you hwere you want to install windows, from here you can delete the current partition, and install windows to the raw disc and the setup will repartiton and format for you.

[fLYtRap]

Boot the computer to DOS, put XP PRO disc in, change DOS letter to drive where the disc is, type in: i386\winnt and hit enter. This will begin installation and from there you can choose your options.

[noki]

I cannot get into windows at all (no safe mode, nothing)?

sounds like it's BIOS password enabled.

open the computer and pull out the coin-shaped battery. let it sit for an hour or so. put the battery back in. boot up. the password prompt should be gone.

[jkleslie]

Also, if it is BIOS password-protected, you should be able to just hold down any key at the password prompt for about a minute and do a buffer overflow on it. Hit enter and it may accept it. You can then disable the password protection inside the BIOS itself the same way.

Otherwise, just boot to the XP CD, blow out the existing partition, create a new one, format, and install.

[bigstusexy]

Proper way to clear the bios password is not to remove the batter (which there are systems wihtout them) its to use the jumper to clear cmos. The more we know about the situation and hardware involved the more clear answers I can give you.

[DVD_NDN]

hey everyone, I have to say: thank you for your help and contributions so far. I really appreciate this, alot.

Well, So far, I have done nothing with the computer. Impressive eh? Time management skills are poor. I want to try and address some of what has been said thus far.

Somebody mentioned that it was a job for the IT guys. whomever you are, you are *absolutely* right. Unfortunately, We dont have any that are in house. We contract out to a local company.
That in itself would be all well and good, but they (the company I work for) have heard about a few things I did in the past with computers, and my own.
I tried to explain to them that I had help (here namely - thanks again guys) in the past, and the rest was luck.
"oh give it a try' they said. so, I am. I'd like to be able to save face on the issue, as I freely admit its about pride now.... (yes, I am a small men among giants)... but this computer is kicking my ass frankly.

I will be trying to boot from CD. There isnt more I can do until Saturday likely, as that is my next day off.

What else can I say about the computer - I will be trying to get the specs on it and post by midnight-ish (EST).
I am able to get into BIOS, that much I've accomplished... so I can change the boot order.
Its just when windows itself shows up on the screen. damned password, just locks me out.

I suppose I should have been clearer when I had said I couldnt get into safe mode... I can, but again, it freezes me out asking for a password... so I couldnt reformat that way.

I will be trying Fdisk after my staff meeting today.

you know what kills me though, on a personal level?
I *JUST* did this on my own computer a few months ago. Different reasons, but it sounds like the same procedure, and I still didnt clue in.

I'm a bad bad helper monkey.......
(anyone got an organ to play as I dance?)

[jkleslie]

You can try http://ebcd.pcministry.com/ (emergency boot cd). It is a linux boot CD that has various tools - inlcuding one to recover Windows passwords. Easy to use.

If a reinstall is in order, I would just follow the forementioned methods and start from scratch though.

[psx_pirate]

You don't need to boot into windows (safe mode or otherwise) ... in fact booting into windows is of no use to you as you cannot format the hdd whilst windows is running ... heres what to do ...

enter bios setup ... look for setting 'first boot device' change this to cdrom ... save and exit bios

insert windows xp cd into drive and restart computer (hit ctrl+alt+del or use reset button on main unit) ... windows should now boot from cdrom

when you get to select partition to install windows you can delete the original partition and then create a new one ...(this will wipe all data from drive) .. after creating new partition you will then need to format it (follow instructions on windows xp disk) ... once formatted windows will start the install proccess automatically

[SLK001]

You should be able to just reinstall Windows over the current version . Once you have done this, if you really ARE to become the "company man" when it comes to computers, then you should set up a SUPER ADMINISTRATOR account for yourself on every machine (PROVIDED that your OS on your company's machines are MODERN). In the future, you will ALWAYS have access to the company's machines.

[DVD_NDN]

oooh.. I like the super administrator thing. yeah. my ego is jumping up and down for joy.

Yeah, in all seriousness, I dont know that I will become the I.T. guy. I mean clearly I'm not technically skilled enough to do it... and its unfair to take the informal job, then come to you (helpful) people here everytime.

But... I may be a butthead and put in a little backdoor for myself.
nah. thats bad. (heh)
I'd probably Fuc! it all up anyway...

I will (now) post after work to let you all fine and helpful people know if my pride remains -for the most part- intact.
thank you all again.

[DVD_NDN]

well folks.
day..2? 3?

I wound up bringing the damned thing home. I'm looking at the evil machine as I type this. it hates me. I know it. I bet the password is " IH8NDN"
nope.
none of the variations either.

Well, I tried changing the boot order.... still loaded to windows - and froze me out asking for a password.
I tried then disabling the other drives (in bios) rather than just changing the order. Well.. that didnt work either - in fact, I ended up being unable to load anything as I had disabled C:
So in a panic, I yoinked the battery and let it sit for a while. Admittedly not an hour...
When I popped it back in, I was ok again, but back where I started, frozen out by password request.

My next step I think will be look for a boot disc ... like a floppy. I'm wondering if either of the two CD drives on the machine is for some reason not working... I mean I pop it in, changed the order, and... nothing. So ok, I move on to floppy disk... I think.

I'm on a 'day off' (as if) today so I guess it will be spent camped out at the home workstation trying to figure this evil NDN hating machine.

[MOVIEGEEK]

boot from a ms-dos floopy disc. fdisk the hard drive and delete all partitions. boot from xp cd and reformat/install.

That's the only way I could do it on a PC that had XP installed,I popped in my old WinME startup disc and selected fdisk->delete partition:
http://www.putergeek.com/downloads/
Now if you get asked for a password at the CMOS then you are screwed.

[DVD_NDN]

holy shit.
I cant believe I'm going to ask this -
how do I boot to dos?

[classfour]

psx_pirate is correct. change your boot order, insert the windows xp disc, and it will format the hard drive and install windows.

Since I have one of those IDE to USB rigs, I usually pull the hard drive, format it; goe thru the new boot drive setup using the hard drive manufacturer's disc; reinstall the hard drive; reset bios per the motherboard manufacturer's recommendations (the manual or website), which wipes out any passwords settings etc., and returns the bios to default status; boot up into bios and set the boot drive to CDROM; insert the XP disc; save & exit from BIOS and away we go!

Before installing windows or doing anything with a strange machine, I would recommend finding out what the motherboard is, download all drivers and updates from the manufacturer's site (if available), and locate the original manuals and driver discs if they're available - save alot of time and headaches.

[Bondiablo]

If you can get into the BIOS and change settings this should be pretty simple. Just change the boot order to FDD, CD, HDD. Restart the computer with either a bootable floppy in the floppy drive or the Windows XP disc in the CD drive. If a floppy type format c: (or whatever drive windows is on) when it's done loading. If XP CD you should see a message that says "press any key to boot from CD". Press any key and follow the instructions for formatting the drive and installing windows.

[steve42069]

get this program its called killdisk http://www.killdisk.com/ you can put it on cd or on a floppy once you do that put it in the computer and restart then follow the instruction on the screen depending on the size of the hdd it can take up to an hour once thats done pop in your xp cd and your done

[DVD_NDN]

little update...

killdisk worked. thanks for that.

satisfied, I had put in the windows XP cd, and restarted 'non-system disk or disc error'.
well, I swore in three languages.

I'm going back into work on monday to get another xp pro disc. its in an unopened fresh package.
if *that* doesnt work.
well hell. I dont know what I'll do.

[MOVIEGEEK]

little update...

killdisk worked. thanks for that.

satisfied, I had put in the windows XP cd, and restarted 'non-system disk or disc error'.
well, I swore in three languages.

I'm going back into work on monday to get another xp pro disc. its in an unopened fresh package.
if *that* doesnt work.
well hell. I dont know what I'll do.

1.Did you install XP after Killdisk?
2.Did you set the HDD to boot first in the BIOS?

[DVD_NDN]

hi

yeah, the little NDN hatin machine hates on - even after death.
maybe its a robo zombie. like borg, and I'm insignificant.

starting to feel that way... wow. that was pretty nerdy of me wasnt it.

ok, yeah it was set to boot from CD first.
I couldnt install the disc I was provided from work. it is a fully legit copy of XP pro - but for whatever reason it wasnt taking. Later on today I will be going in to pick up that new copy.

I'm *hoping* that just using a different disc will solve the issue, and its alls well that ends well.
Unfortunately, I dont think that will be the case, I anticipate some troubles, and more BS... but cest la vie I guess. Gives me something to do with my time off. I'm pissed it has to be this computer, and the circumstances being what they are - but it still beats going into work for a day.

[handyguy]

Why not just use a Master PW for the bios you have? What bios is it?

[steve42069]

hi

yeah, the little NDN hatin machine hates on - even after death.
maybe its a robo zombie. like borg, and I'm insignificant.

starting to feel that way... wow. that was pretty nerdy of me wasnt it.

ok, yeah it was set to boot from CD first.
I couldnt install the disc I was provided from work. it is a fully legit copy of XP pro - but for whatever reason it wasnt taking. Later on today I will be going in to pick up that new copy.

I'm *hoping* that just using a different disc will solve the issue, and its alls well that ends well.
Unfortunately, I dont think that will be the case, I anticipate some troubles, and more BS... but cest la vie I guess. Gives me something to do with my time off. I'm pissed it has to be this computer, and the circumstances being what they are - but it still beats going into work for a day.

do you get any errors when trying to install xp?...you should try taking your cd drive outta your personal computer and put it in the computer from hell it might just be a bad cd drive

[DVD_NDN]

been a while since I checked the posts.
I have been on vacation. Go figure, I actually tried relaxing.
unfortunately, times almost up, and although I have made some progress with the computer, I am 'stuck' once more....

I install windows XP, and it gets as far as 11%.... installing the drivers.cab file. and it hangs.... and hangs and hangs... shyt, I damned near hung myself after all the BS this machine has given me.
with that been said.... anyone have ideas as to both 'why' it might be stuck? or 'what' might be done to remedy it?

anyone have any thoughts about taking out the hard-drive, hooking it up to this system, and trying to install it that way? I dont really know that it will make a difference, but it would be something 'different' than the repeated attempts to install, and being met with freezing up at 11%...

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results"

*edit* all I really 'know' about the damned machine at this point is that it DID have windows XP pro on it before, that it is a compaq computer... I dont know what type of motherboard is on it - I tried taking pictures (yes, I'm that desperate) in hopes somebody else might recognize what it is - however, it didnt quite turn out.
It looks like its ATA connectors... pfffff.... beyond that? couldnt say.... I would have installed something like 'CPUZ' before having to wipe it out, but if I could have gotten into the computer to do that, then I wouldnt have to go through any of this in the first place... so........ at a loss.

why would it get stuck at 'driver.cab' ?

Shit, and If I were to hook up the other hard drive to this machine, wouldnt then scan *this* computer for its hardware settings? yeah that must be why it was suggested to hook up my disc drive to the other sytem.... troubling though, as the cd-rom appears to be workign, just gets stuck at driver.cab.
*edit*

[MOVIEGEEK]

If the disc is hanging I'm leaning towards the CD has alot of errors or is scratched.
Try this:
First use Nero,etc to make an exact copy and try to reinstall from the copy.
If that doesn't work then the data must be corrupted and it's time for a new XP CD.

[SLK001]

It may be that you have hardware that the installation disk doesn't have the proper drivers for.

You should be able to check to see if the CD is bad by running a CHKDSK on the mounted disk.

[SLK001]

Also, if you pull this drive and put it in another machine, then install the OS, you could put it back in its original box. If there are different hardward configs, XP should say "FOUND NEW HARDWARE" and try to install the proper drivers.

[DVD_NDN]

thanks guys, I'm going to try it out - first making a copy, checking the disk, then.... failing all else, I'll be unavailable..... rocking back and forth, cursing all technology....

[nutstoyou]

It's a pity you didn't offer up the fact that the machine's a Compaq before using Killdisk, it's quite probable there was a hidden restore partition on the hard drive that you could have used to re-install windows with just a press of one of the F1-F12 keys

[handyguy]

True.

Exactly key combo is in the manual. Either online or that you got with your computer.