How to Reformat a Compaq Computer
A Compaq computer can come in the form of a desktop as well as a laptop. Each type of computer can have different types of software as well as hardware installed on the machine. The hard drive on a Compaq computer may need to be reformatted from time to time due to problems with the operating system or to remove old data. Reformatting a Compaq computer can be accomplished without a whole lot of difficulty in just a few steps.
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Instructions
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Use the Windows XP installation disk or system recovery disk to reformat the computer and reinstall the operating system. The Windows installation CD has the option to format the hard drive in the FAT or NTFS file system.
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Press the F2 key when the computer is starting to access the BIOS. The BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, makes sure components such as the CPU and hard drive communicate to each other. Find the boot sequence option when the BIOS screen appears and select "Boot to CD."
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Exit the BIOS after saving the change to the boot sequence. Insert the Windows CD if it is not in the drive already and restart the computer.
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Upon entering the setup screen, the existing partition will need to be deleted. The storage space on a hard drive is known as the partition. Select the existing partition, which will be the C drive. Press the D key to delete and then the L key to confirm that the partition will be deleted.
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The status of the disk will be changed to indicate unpartitioned space. Press the Enter key to begin the Windows XP installation.
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Select the type of file system used to format the partition. The Windows XP installation disk will have the option for FAT as well as NTFS. NTFS is short for New Technology File System, which is newer as well as the preferred file system to use for Windows.
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Once the formatting has completed, the Windows XP installation will start. Enter the product key, which is the registration code for the operating system, and press the Next button. Select "Typical" settings and press the Next button again. When the process has finished, the computer will be reformatted with the Windows XP operating system installed.
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Tips & Warnings
The Windows Vista installation disk can be used as well, but does not have the option to select FAT as a file system. The Windows product key can be found on the XP backup disk, CD case or manual that came with the computer or Windows installation CD.
FAT is an older file system used by Windows 98 and is not compatible with programs designed to work with a NTFS file system.
