formating a PC

[danielf]

Originally Posted by roystheboy

Hello everybody I need to format my PC. because its not working like it should .
<snip>

Roy,

What exactly does this mean? What is the problem? People may be able to help you solve this without needing to format the pc.

[Noggo]

If you want to go ahead without first finding looking for your PC model number or backing up any data, photos, emails and email address books etc. Here is the most common method listed on my link quoted earlier. I would suggest you try the option high lighted in red first (Microsoft Repair Environment ), as this option will leave your settings, files etc alone. But if this doesn't resolve your problems you'll have to do `Reinstall Windows' option, Which will delete all your settings, emails, address books and everything put onto the PC after you first turned it on and restore it back to factory settings

Fingers crossed for a good result.

Laters

Noggo


DVD Recovery
Should your Windows develop serious errors or fail to start, you can restore your computer back to factory settings by using the Recovery DVD you may have created or been sent.

To restore your computer back to factory settings, follow the steps below.

1. Start the computer with the Recovery DVD in the optical disc drive
2. After the usual startup screen has vanished press a key when prompted to load from the DVD
3. Select the language you wish to install (normally English is the only option)
4. Once you have chosen your language you will be presented with the available recovery options:
   

   - Microsoft Repair Environment - after choosing the UK keyboard layout you will be asked to choose the Operating System you wish to repair. If Windows Vista is not listed then you cannot repair the OS without doing the full recovery. After choosing Vista the Microsoft Vista startup repair tool will run and attempt to repair any startup problems you are experiencing

   - Reinstall Windows - gives you the options available to reinstall Vista

   - Advanced Options - this launches the diagnostic centre allowing you to run chkdsk, launch notepad or bring up a command prompt

   - Exit & restart computer - Exits withut running the recovery process

5. To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Reinstall Windows
6. On the next screen you have the ability to launch Vista System Restore and roll back to a date when Vista was last working ok or to run the Full Destructive Recovery. To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Start Full Destructive Recovery
7. After choosing the Full Destructive Recovery option you are presented with the warning screen that all data will be lost. It is important to make sure all data has been backed up to disk if possible and to realise this process deletes all data and reverts the machine back to it's default state. To continue with the recovery program you need to tick the box indicating you are aware of data loss
8. The recovery process will then run through, reinstalling Vista and also recreating the hard drive recovery system for future use.
9. When it has finished copying files it will ask you to remove the DVD and then restart the computer. It will then go through setting up Vista, you will need to go through the Vista "Out of Box Experience". This is fairly straightforward so just follow the onscreen instructions

[roystheboy]

thanks a lot great ,I put the CD in restarted my PC and got 4 options ,Start Windows Repair Envoroment --Reinstall Windows -- Acvanced Options -- and Exit and restart computer ,what do I need Reinstall Windows is it I just got make sure I get the right one thanks again

reinstall will perform the reinstall

If you had just booted from the cd when I said in post 4 we would have been here a day ago

might be worth downloading all the drivers before you perform the reinstall. If you do a repair first and see if you are happy with the results jd

(after all these years and all this rep no one still listens to zing lmao)

[Noggo]

As I pointed out above. I would personally try Microsoft Repair Environment first, then move onto Reinstall Windows if you are still getting problems afetr the repair. But without knowing what is wrong in the first place it's difficult to advise what the correct method of getting the PC back in tip top condition.

If you feel a clean slate is the way forward select Reinstall Windows. Then follow on screen instruction, they are pretty straigh forward.

Remembering you can always get back online without the router in place.
Turn the power off the PC, router and Cablem Modem. Then connect the PC direct to the cable modem with a network cable (basically discount the network cable between the cable modem and the router, at the router end and connect it to the PC), then reboot. This should at least get you back online without the router.

[roystheboy]

Hello everybody its me again just before I do anything stupid this is my problem-- ,,my problem is I once had Limewire Installed and I have got rid of it now but its left me with files I cant get rid of no matter how I have tried,I go to the start button and type in limewire and all the files come up that I cant get rid of ,it seems like limewire is still there someware ,if I could get rid of these files I should be OK thanks take care best regards Roy.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/fileassassin.php

this may well sort you out

[Noggo]

Hi,

If you can't remove Limewire from the Control Panel/ Add or Remove, go to "C:\Program Files\LimeWire" and delete the folder, it'll be gone. Then use a free program like CCleaner to remove the invalid registry entries left behind, the registry scan is under Issues in CCleaner.
If you want to delete the folder where Limeware downloads are kept, go to C:\Limewire and delete the folder, also C:\Incomplete where incomplete limewire downloads are kept.

Fergal.

Take from http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4034649AAxzGFm (at bottom of the page).
(I've also found a similar method here: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forums/in...022&forumid=20)
CCleaner from here: http://www.ccleaner.com/

and LimeShop removal http://www.wellesley.edu/Computing/R.../limewire.html

[roystheboy]

Hi did a full scan done windows washer did Ccleaner and they are still there its relly bugging me now ,is there anything else that I can try before I do a format hope there is thanks take care best regards Roy.

[The Hitman]

A good ol fashion format will solve all problems. You cant beat a fresh install

[Dai]

Originally Posted by roystheboy

Hi did a full scan done windows washer did Ccleaner and they are still there its relly bugging me now ,is there anything else that I can try before I do a format hope there is thanks take care best regards Roy.

Sometimes it's best to pay a few quid to someone that can do the job right..

Shame I'm not still in Brecon.

[roystheboy]

I am not looking forward to doing it but its got to done perhaps ill have a go tomorrow ,do i need to take out the router and printer and scanner and the broadband first before I put the CD in to do a format hope you can hyelp cheers take care best regards Roy.

[roystheboy]

Hello well I have decided to do a Reinstall Windows ill have a go today just as well first as last if you dont see me again you know that I have failed thanks again for all your help take care all best regards Roy.

[damien c]

it's easy enough to do

you don't need to disconnect printer etc if you don't want to, you can leave the broadband in that way the install should config it for you, just follow the on screen instructions it's easy.

once you put the cd in the drive and boot it should give you the option to boot from the cd, then you will need to formatt the drive and then install windows it will take about 40mins for xp and about 30mins for vista.

lol Damien doesn't read the thread lol The OP has a recovery partition and and recovery software so he will not be performing the same sort of operation