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How To Format Your Hard Drive Properly

by Computer Universe    

Before beginning this procedure, I stress that this is only a last resort! But if you have tried everything else, I recommend doing a full format of your hard drive making your computer like it was when you got it. And if your computer can go to the OS obtain all info about your internet dial-up or cable or network connections before continuing and back-up important data or software. So now let's begin!

Step 1: Restart your computer and insert your start-up disk into the 3 1/2" floppy drive.

Step 2: Wait until the computer starts up with the start-up disk. After it's loaded all diagnostic programs & drivers it will display a menu. Scroll down to start the computer with cd-rom support and press enter.

Step 3: Then it will display the A:/ prompt. To format your C:/ drive, type in format c:/. It will display: All data on non-removable drive will be lost! Continue?- type y and then it will begin deleting your hard drive data.

IMPORTANT! Make sure your windows c.d. isn't an upgrade! If it is, use the c.d. that came with your computer and then use the upgrade.

Step 4: After it's done, it will display: Volume Label: type in an desired label for your hard drive. If none, hit enter. Then insert your Windows 9x, ME,XP c.d. into the cd-rom and type in D:/ to go to the D:/ prompt.

Step 5: Type in setup, and then it will load the setup of Windows 9x or WinME, XP.

Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 7: Now reinstall all drivers & software by way of your backup disks or original c.d.'s

If you don't have back-up disks, your in trouble, but most of the stuff is on original cd's except software you downloaded or got on-line or personal/important documents.

Refer to your computer documentation if you have problems installing drivers or software that came with your computer.

useful sites for drivers if you didn't back-up them: http://www.windrivers.com


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Matthew Zator Editor, Computer Universe Come and get the help you need subscribe at, 34897-subscribe@zinester.com or go to, http://compuniverse.bizhosting.com/