Reformatting Help!

Discussion in 'Software' started by surfing4ever24, Aug 5, 2005.

  1. surfing4ever24

    surfing4ever24 Private E-2

    My computer is a good 6 years old. I have not had any major problems with it over that time, but it is really bogged down with about fragments of 3 old operating systems, and countless old and unnesscary files. My brother finally got his new comp and left all his files on here. Now that the computer is mine I wanted to reformat my hard drive and erase EVERYTHING. I don't know which drivers I need to back up though, and I'm afraid I will mess my only comp up.



    The comp is
    Windows XP professional
    Pentium 3(700mhz)
    128mb ram
    32mb Nvidia geforce2
    harmon/kardon speakers
    soundblaster sound card
    dell monitor
    dell/microsoft multimedia keyboard (has hotkeys)
    microsoft optical mouse
    cd-r/rw and dvdrom drive
    Networked with linsys wireless access point router


    that's about as much as I could find out, pretty basic but I tried.

    Anyways I need help on the process of which I go about erasing everything and getting my operating system back on. I also need to figure out how to backup my files (mostly music) to cd-recordables.
    PLEASE HELP!

    Thanks,
    John
     
    surfing4ever24, Aug 5, 2005
    #1
  2. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi John

    well as for the drivers XP is very good at having the majority of drivers to get you going some like for eg. the Nvidia driver are basic but you can just get the latest from Nvidia to give you all options, the best thing is to get EVEREST and that will tll you all the hardware you have in your pc and give you links to the drivers from the manufacturers so you can go download the drivers beforhand, then burn to cd.

    now as your next question is about burning your backups, do you have cd buring software?

    if not then this one is free CD BurnerXP

    My best advice is to take some time and get all the drivers downloaded and burned to cd before re-installing.
     
    DavidGP, Aug 5, 2005
    #2
  3. theefool

    theefool Geekified

    XP does have integrated cd burning capabilities. But, I'd still download a 3rd party program like Halo says.
     
    theefool, Aug 5, 2005
    #3
  4. surfing4ever24

    surfing4ever24 Private E-2

    I've got nero burning software so that should be good. Thank you for all your input, as well as anyone else who wants to reply would be a great help

    Thanks,
    John
     
    surfing4ever24, Aug 5, 2005
    #4
  5. surfing4ever24

    surfing4ever24 Private E-2

    Also, not only do I need to know which drivers to download, Everest is a bit confusing to me (anyone willing to walk me throught the process?). I need to know how to burn them to a cd and then reinstall them later. As once I reformat I won't be able to talk in this until I have installed the drivers and frankly, I'm clueless to the whole reinstalling drivers process. So if anyone would like to walk me through the whole reformatting process that would be extroardinary.
    Thanks,
    John
     
    surfing4ever24, Aug 5, 2005
    #5
  6. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Our very own Major Attitude has outlined the basics HERE.

    If you need more information, HERE is an excellent step by step guide.


    BTW, if you are using XP then some more RAM would make a big difference, especially for a dated system like yours.
     
    Insomniac, Aug 5, 2005
    #6

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