How to Reformat & Install an HP PC
While most problems with HP computers can be solved by less drastic means, at times the best course of action is to reformat the computer and reinstall the operating system and files to their factory default settings. Some examples of when this action would be warranted include a severe virus infection and a corrupted operating system. Computer owners should also reformat their computers before they sell or give them away, since this will destroy any personal data on the PC.
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Instructions
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Locate the restore CD and operating system CD that came with your HP PC. Each model has its own restore CD, so you will need the one that came with your computer. If you do not have a restore CD, contact HP at 1-800-652-6672 to order a replacement.
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Back up all of your personal files to an external hard drive, thumb drive or online backup service. The formatting process will destroy all of the data on your hard drive.
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Insert the restore CD in your CD or DVD drive and shut down the computer. Restart the PC and allow the computer to boot from the CD. If the PC does not boot from the restore CD, shut it down, restart the unit and watch the screen for a "Press any key to boot from CD" message. Press a key when you see that message to force the system to boot from the disk.
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Choose the operating system that came with your computer and press "Enter." Some HP restore CDs support more than one operating system, so be sure to choose the right one.
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Answer "Yes" to the prompts warning that the data on your hard drive is about to be destroyed. Wait while the drive is formatted.
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Insert the operating system CD when prompted. Enter the license key when prompted---this license key is typically located on a small label on the top of the computer case.
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Reboot the computer when the restore process is complete. Connect the computer to the Internet and go to the Windowsupdate.com website to download any service packs and updates that were released since the computer was built.
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References
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