How to Reformat a Windows Computer

Your computer with Microsoft Windows can be difficult to manage. Windows can show tell tale signs that you may not have noticed that indicate it may be time to reformat or recover your hard drive.

To Reformat a Windows computer, much preparation needs to take place. The main preparation for a reformat is to backup your data. Because when you reformat, the computer hard drive is erased and Windows is reinstalled. These tips will help reinstall Windows to have an operating system to work with and help restore your computer back to its original factory settings.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Windows computer disk that came with your desktop or laptop computer
• Recovery CD or software found in start menu
• Floppy Boot disk or CD
• CD or DVD drive
• Backup media: USB flash drive (in Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows ME only), floppy disk, removable hard drive, or CD-R.

1. Prepare an emergency Microsoft Windows boot floppy disk or CD (if you do not already have one) by pressing F1 on your computer. F1 displays the help function on your computer screen. This is critical for your reformat.

2. Go to the DOS prompt by booting a computer with your floppy or CD (either the one you made in the first step or one you already had in storage). The next few steps do not involve Windows, but you will be in DOS. If you cannot get to DOS, restart your computer with the windows or recovery CD in the drive and follow the on screen prompts.

3. Type FDISK in all caps with no spaces at the DOS prompt. (It is usually A:)
   
   It will look like A:>FDISK on your screen. There will not be any graphics, only a sentence displayed.

4. Select choice number 4 on the computer screen to begin finding and deleting the active DOS partition on your hard drive. It is easiest if you just follow the numbers for the reformat process.

5. Select option 3,3 on that menu and select enter on your keyboard. Your mouse will not work at this point.

6. Select choices 3 then 2 on that same menu on your screen and then press enter on your keyboard.

7. Select choice 3, 1 on that same menu on your computer screen and hit enter. This will be your last step in deleting the active partition in DOS. Now you are ready to create a new partition on your hard disk.

8. Create a partition during the reformat by selecting:
   Choice 1, 1
   then 1, 2 and make this the active DOS partition on a computer (This may take a few minutes).

9. Depress your ESC (escape) key on the upper left hand side of your keyboard and restart the computer by turning it off with the button on the tower. You will not corrupt your computer by doing this.

10. Ensure the floppy (or Windows CD) is still in the drive, then turn the computer back on using the same button you did to power it down.

11. At the DOS prompt type (After the A:, which is already there)
    A:>format C:
    
    (This begins the reformat process on your hard disk drive). Depending on the size, this process can take around 45 minutes.

12. Type sys C: at the DOS prompt. At this point, your hard drive reformat has been completed, but an operating system (Windows) still needs to be reinstalled.

13. Insert the Microsoft Windows CD in drive and type: setup.exe. This should redirect you to the Windows Installation home page. Windows Setup should start. If it does not, repeat this step.

14. Follow the prompts to restart as needed or just let the Windows installation process continue unattended. When Microsoft Windows is installed on your computer you can remove the disk and begin reinstalling the Internet and Software programs as needed.
    Drag and drop your backed up items in the folders, as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• It is not necessary to back up actual software programs. You will be able to reinstall them using the CDs provided by the manufacturer.
• These steps are not necessary if you have been given a "recovery" or "restore" CD from the computer manufacturer. If you have that CD, insert that into the drive and restart and follow prompts as needed.
• Make sure you back up all your home and family pictures, documents, favorites, addresses and any other items you wish to keep if possible. Use the media described in the materials needed section. If you need assistance, consult the Internet or a knowledgeable colleague or friend for further guidance.
• You will need to reinstall all drivers (from a CD or disk that came with the computer). You need drivers for sound, video, peripherals, devices, USB drives, motherboard and more. If something does not function, chances are the drivers have not been installed. You can also go on the Internet and download from software and computer manufacturers support websites.
• Do this backup and restore only as a last resort, OR if you are going to dispose of the computer.
• This format process ERASES your entire hard drive and will alert you of this when it happens.
• For your final steps, when format is complete do NOT give the hard drive (volume) a name when prompted. It is fine to leave it blank as it was before the format.

[snowbird74365]

on 10/12/2009 I HAVE A COMPUTER THAT HAS WINDOWS XP ON IT AND IT RUNS SLOW, I HAVE TAKEN OFF ALOT OF PROGRAMS BUT STILL RUNS SLOW, TRIED TO RETURN IT TO ORIGINAL FACTORY SETTINGS BUT WON'T WORK. CAN I FORMAT THE DRIVE AND USE THE DISK THAT CAME WITH THE COMPUTER SINCE I DIDN'T MAKE A DISK WHEN I GOT IT. DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS. AND NOT SURE WHAT ALL DISKS GO WITH THIS SYSTEM SINCE I HAVE 3 DELL COMPUTERS. HOW DO I DETERMINE WHICH PROGRAMS GO TO THIS COMPUTER. THANKS

[MidniteWriter]

on 3/8/2009 Please share ANY computer stories here, comments welcome.

[MidniteWriter]

on 3/8/2009 To reformat a Windows computer means to erase data completely so please be sure you read this through before attempting.

[MidniteWriter]

on 3/8/2009 If you want to link to a similar article of your own, please email me first and I will put your article in my resources section. Thank you!

[MidniteWriter]

on 1/9/2009 Hope there aren't a lot of WIN98 computers left out there, they are DINOSAURS! You can get a new one for $300+!! What are you waiting 4?