wakeboardar

i want flatten a computer thats got a few bugs and virus and reload windows
waky

GaryCat

fdisk?

suba

fdisk or format should do it.

wakeboardar

fdisk do you me floppy disc its got one of those and a cd drive how do i delete with a floppy disc

i tried clicking format but it messaged that it couldent because of windows was on it

molko

have a look here http://www.fdisk.com/fdisk/ for more info on the FDISK tool

mj

95?? - 98 and onwards have tools on the disc that you can load at boot from CD, what version of windows do you want to install?

matscooby

iTrader: (3)

If you can get into windows goto add/remove programs in control panel and create a startup disk.

But you would be better having a windows ME disk as it has better functions to use.
Once thats done restart the system with the floopy disk load in the drive.

-type fdisk
-delete partitions
-then re-create a primary dos partition
-exit
-restart the system with the floopy disk still in the drive
-type format c: or maybe format c:\
-say yes and this will take a while to format the complete drive which will lose all previous data stored on your computer.
-once finished restart the system again with the disk still in the drive and then select system start with cd drive.
-select which drive letter your cd-drive should be maybe d: or e:
-then type setup and go through the setup process.

Hey presto your on your way.

mj

you can't do it from an existing widows installation, its got it's problems ( according to the boffins on SN ), but to get windows to commit hari kari is not easy by default. It sounds like you want to format the drive and reinstall, your windows CD should give you option to do this.

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

If you've booted from a floppy then reformatting is a doddle with FDISK. But one slight change to matscooby's advice: use the command

format /u c:

otherwise the reinstal will still see the old installation and attempt to repair it.


M

GC8

Switches go after the drive letter; for eg. A:\format c: /u. If you feel that you have a virus then download a new boot diskette from www.bootdisk.com; youll need a Windows98 disk even if you have ME or XP. Do this on a remote machine and use a new diskette; after creating it write protect it. Boot form the new boot diskette and delete the partition; then turn the machine off. Restart the machine and set a new partition and restart, you neednt turn it off here btw, jst restart it. AT the command prompt type Format c: followed by any switches that you require and you are away. Using FDisk in this manner ensures that a virus is not able to remain on your machine.

Simon

R1916v

Stick it in the bath for half an hour.

Or just boot from win xp cd/whatever os you using, in the setup options it will let you format a drive, remove partitions etc. Simplist way imho. If you have the cd whats the point creating a boot floppy to do the same thing.

GC8

How will doing what you say clear a system of a memory resident virus? The only way to do it properly is as I suggested.

Simon

lightning101

Erm, switching the power off at the wall will get rid of a memory resident virus.


When you boot from the CD it dows not boot from the hard disk at the same time.


Try using AEFDISK - it can format and partition using a bios style interface and has nearly every type of partition. NTFS/FAT 32/Linux/ etc.

GC8

Switching the power off is neccessary as I said; after you have removed the partition. Why is it that theres always someone who has to know just a little bit better?

wakeboardar

bloody ell me thinking there was a simple click of the mouse thanks for advice guys

mj

wakeboarder-


which windows version do you want to install? - if you tell us that then you can get a step by step of how to do it properly.

wakeboardar

i want to dump win 98se and reinstall the same

mj

W98-set the bios to boot from CD ROM

when you see some text, hit the down arrow to select " start windows with CD ROM support", hit enter.

there will be a flashing cursor, type in D: or D:/
the cursor should now have a D before it, if so type CD WIN98

the cursor should now have a CD WIN98 before it, if so type format /c:
errr, forgot the rest, someone please take over