How to Reformat a Laptop Computer

It's sluggish. It can't run. It has too many errors. If it were human, you would think your laptop was sick. Despite everything you've tried, you cannot correct the problem, but there is one more thing you can do. Reformatting the laptop, using its system recovery program, will erase the hard drive and restore the laptop to the factory settings. This is a major step, since it will wipe out all documents and media stored on the laptop; however, it keeps you from having to take a bat to the laptop.

Things You'll Need

• Recordable CDs, DVDs or flash drives System recovery disc for the laptop Software for the laptop's programs

Instructions

1. Back up all important documents that are on the laptop. Save them to recordable CDs, DVDs or flash drives. Pictures can be uploaded to websites that store photos. If you have an online email account, you can email important documents to yourself.

2. Make a list of all programs that you want to reinstall on the laptop. Note whether you have the installation CDs or whether you have to download them from the Internet. Also list any IDs and passwords associated with these programs.

3. Locate the system recovery discs for the laptop. Some laptops come with these discs; other laptops instruct you to make your own set of recovery discs when you start the laptop for the first time. If you have lost these discs, order them from the laptop's manufacturer.

4. Open the CD player and insert the first system recovery disc. The laptop will automatically read the disc; follow the instructions on the screen. Because this totally erases programs and resets the hard drive, you will be asked several times whether you really want to choose this step. Make sure that all important data is backed up before continuing.

5. Reinstall the laptop's software, beginning with the protection programs, such as virus and firewall. Then move on to email, word processing software and other programs on CDs and DVDs. Be prepared to search for updates for programs. Once software programs are in place, download documents and media that was backed up on CDs, DVDs, flash drives or emailed to Internet email accounts.

Tips & Warnings

• Place all laptop software in a safe place. Once you've listed all the programs and passwords on the laptop, save it for future reference. Reformatting a laptop can take anywhere from an afternoon to several days, depending upon how much software you have on the computer.