Fresh start!

I have inherited a Presario laptop and I would like to remove the messy system and files. I assume that I can clear everything with the "format" command followed by "fdisk" before re-loading an updated OS and my own apps. I just wonder if the Presario needs dedicated for screen, keyboard etc. or would XP automatically load generic ones on installation.
Is this feasible or likely to cause problems or is there a better way of achieving what I want?

 

You may need motherboard drivers, ie. chipset/video etc. You can clean out/format then install XP then load your drivers,for your model ,If you can't find the model of your Compaq computer written on the outside of your system unit, all is not lost. First, try pressing F10 when the Compaq logo appears while the system is booting. Look for the Asset Tag which includes the model number. Just type model and number/drivers in your search engine then I would burn to disk for safe keeping once downloaded

 

Yes, as Toke said go to hp.com and find the drivers for your model before you reformat. You can download them and save them on CD or Flash drive so you will have them ready to install after the format.

Getting them beforehand will allow you to avoid a problem such as an incorrect or partial model number.

 

Thanks Toke and Sach2 for the very comprehensive and concise information, very helpful. I have now downloaded the necessary drivers from the Compaq website and I think that I am now ready to do the deed. If I have any problems " I'll be back"
regards

 

Hi,

That's FDisk first and then Format.

Jim

 

Agreed with jlphlp: run fdisk to delete/create your partition(s), then format...