re-installing windows/ format c:\ ?

[pnj]

my computer is falling apart and i would like to re-install the OS from scratch.

my cd-rom is bootable and i have the windows disk.
i made boot disks just incase.


so do i just format my hard drive then re-boot from my cd?

i don't want to just re-install over my existing OS.

thanks!

[JungleMan]

Yeah. Format your hard drive, boot from a DOS prompt, run setup.

If its Windows 9x or ME, you'll go to setup on the root folder of the CDROM.

If it's Win2000 or XP run "winnt" in the i386 folder of the CDROM.

[Gandalf_Grey_]

or just boot from the CD rom. I found a great way to get rid of linux, i always dreaded doing it cause of Lilo however there is a command in the recovery console called fixmbr it just redos your MBR. but anyways ya format C:\ in the dos prompt is the best

[pnj]

when the machine boots up it says
boot from cd?
and i say yes. then shouldn't it jump right to set up? it's windows 2000

i re-configured my BIOS to start from the cd and restarted my computer and that is what happened. but i cancelled because i didn't want to install over the existing OS.

i just need to know EXACTLY what i'm doing because once i format my HD i won't be online to get help.....


and do i just open up explorer and right click on c:\ to format or should i do it from dos?

thanks again

[JungleMan]

Originally posted by pnj
when the machine boots up it says
boot from cd?
and i say yes. then shouldn't it jump right to set up? it's windows 2000

i re-configured my BIOS to start from the cd and restarted my computer and that is what happened. but i cancelled because i didn't want to install over the existing OS.

i just need to know EXACTLY what i'm doing because once i format my HD i won't be online to get help.....


and do i just open up explorer and right click on c:\ to format or should i do it from dos?

thanks again

Most Windows CDs aren't bootable..I think the XP ones are though.

You can't format your main drive from Windows.

You will need a bootdisk , get one at www.bootdisk.com

[pnj]

i was able to boot from the cd.

nice, now to install all my software....

thanks all!

[Gandalf_Grey_]

the cheap XP CD's arent' bootable although there are plenty of tutorials on how to make it bootable

[Wynd]

Originally posted by jpbtennisman


Most Windows CDs aren't bootable..I think the XP ones are though.

You can't format your main drive from Windows.

You will need a bootdisk , get one at www.bootdisk.com

My Windows 98 CD is bootable, dunno about the 95 ones though.

[Jethro]

Originally posted by Wynd
My Windows 98 CD is bootable, dunno about the 95 ones though.

yeap, but for some reason our ME isn't.....