How to Format Your Hard Drive and Reinstall Windows

WARNING:  I have done my best to outline the steps in this somewhat arduous task, but undertake this procedure at your own risk. Because of the vast differences in hardware and software, I cannot possibly cover every nuance. Please use this Tip as a guide and not the end all. AND BE SURE TO BACKUP ANYTHING YOU DON"T WANT TO LOSE PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING THE TASK!

Since many of the sites that I used to refer listeners to regarding this subject have either disappeared or no longer have the information, I am starting a multi-part tip outlining the steps to reformat your computer. In this week’s tip, I’ll explain the what, why’s, and when’s?

What does it mean ‘format my hard drive’? Formatting a hard drive erases all current information (for all practical purposes) and let’s your computer start with a clean slate. Formatting deletes all applications AND data from your computer. The process itself requires very little technical know how. What comes after the format involves the techy knowledge.

Why would I need to format my hard drive? If your computer uses Windows 95/98 or Me, I recommend formatting and reinstalling Windows at least every two years as a maintenance routine. Performing this routine purges your computer of any little errors and irritations that have cropped up and thus makes your computer feel and run like ‘new’ again. You also would need to format and reinstall if you have encountered innumerable error messages or encounter a runaway virus.

When should you perform this purging and restoration of your computer? I answered that question along with the ‘why’ above….at least every two years for any Windows version but Windows XP. Windows XP appeared almost two and a half years ago and has proved to be quite stable and resilient so I’m reserving judgment as to how often it should be done for XP.

If you use a name brand computer like HP, Compaq, E-Machines or even some Gateway systems, they come with a disk or disk set (on CD’s) called "Restore Disks". These disks make the process very easy. Put the disk in, shut your computer off, turn it back on and follow the on-screen instructions. REMEMBER, this will erase all data on your computer, so backup anything you don’t want to lose.

Part II

In Part I, we discussed the what, why and when’s of formatting a hard drive. Now let’s embark on the "how to" of formatting a hard drive.

First and foremost, backup all your important and irreplaceable data. Search my web page for backup and you will find many articles on the topic so I won’t rehash it here. Just make sure you do it because the process explained below will wipe out all of your data.

Next, locate all your original software that came with the computer. This includes, Windows, productivity software like Microsoft Works, Office or WordPerfect, Quicken, etc. Also, you will have a disk or disks that are labeled ‘drivers’. They might also be separately labeled as Modem software, Sound Card, Video, etc. Also, locate any software that came with your peripheral purchases…scanners, cameras, printers and the like. None of this equipment will work when you restore your computer without the software that came with them (except in certain circumstances).

If your Windows installation CD happens to be an upgrade disk, be sure that you have an older disk around to verify that you qualify for using the upgrade disk.

If you cannot find any of your original software, you need to back track and contact the manufacturer of your computer or piece of hardware and attempt to acquire the disks through them. In some cases, you can go to the company’s web site and download the drivers you will need right from their support pages.

Lastly, make sure you locate and have handy the registration numbers and certificates that will authenticate your use and possession of the software. This leads to one other area of software that you want to account for…shareware. Any programs or utilities you downloaded directly from the Internet will need to be re-downloaded unless you have saved the installation file some where and can back it up now. Again, have your registration numbers available as well.

After gathering your software, get a pad and pencil and follow this procedure to make a note of the hardware on your system:

1. RIGHT Click on My Computer

2. Click Properties from the menu

3. Click Device Manager (in Windows XP, click Hardware then Device Manager)

4. Click the "+" sign next to the following devices: display adapters, modems, network adapters, and sound and game controllers.

5. Write down the name of each of these devices completely and accurately.

You will need these names when you reinstall the drivers for these devices later.

Part III

Now comes the moment where you need to take a deep breath and review the first two tips before proceeding. Please TRIPLE check that you have backed up any important data and that your backups are indeed functional.

Again, if you own a computer that came with either restore disks or a restore partition (newer HP’s and Compaq’s), use the directions in the small manual that came with your computer to format and restore the computer to its original condition. For the rest of us, follow these steps:

1. Shut your computer off

2. Start the computer up and enter the system setup portion of your computer (a.k.a. BIOS or CMOS). To do this, you will need to punch a key on your keyboard repeatedly. Different computers use different keys. Try the Delete key, F10, F12, F1, F2 or Esc keys if you don’t have documentation on the exact method. Your computer also may briefly display "press the (key) to enter Setup"….use it.

3. Once in the setup, use your keyboard’s arrow keys to navigate to the "Boot" tab or section.

4. Set the boot order of your system so the CD-ROM in the first position

5. Go the exit or quit section and use the "Quit and Save Changes" option

6. After the computer restarts, place your Windows CD into the CD-ROM and shut the computer off.

7. Wait 30 seconds and restart the computer.

8. The computer should present you with either the Windows setup screen OR an option to Boot from the CD (choose this option)

9. If this worked, great. Windows XP users continue the setup process and choose the option to reformat the partition and install Windows. All other Windows users, proceed to the next set of steps below.

10. All other versions of Windows; if the system did not boot to the CD, you will need to create a floppy boot disk for your version of Windows. This can be done at Bootdisk.com

Once you are sure you can boot from your CD, you can format your hard drive in preparation for the Windows installation.

1. Shut the computer off, wait thirty seconds and turn it back on.

2. Start punching the F8 key until you are presented with the Startup menu.

3. Choose the "MS-DOS" option and press Enter

4. Type:  format c: /s 

5. Press Enter on your keyboard

6. Answer yes to the question about erasing  your data by typing "y" and pushing Enter

Part IV

The end is near. This is the final installment in this series of tips on how to format your hard drive and start over with a fresh copy of Windows and your applications. After the first three parts of this tip, your hard drive is now cleansed of its old data, errors, and operating system. Now you can install Windows back to the hard drive along with your applications and data. The is part of the process will take close to two hours in total.

1. Insert your Windows CD

2. Shut off your computer

3. Unplug any peripherals attached to the computer (printers, handheld computers, cameras, scanners, etc.) All you want plugged in is your keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

4. Turn the computer back on (insert your floppy boot disk if you needed one)

5. Either the Windows setup CD will automatically start OR you will get the choice to enter Windows setup.

6. Follow through the setup screens accepting the default choices (unless you are versed and comfortable with making any changes).

7. You will be required to enter your Certificate of Authenticity at some point during the setup, make sure you have it available.

8. Sit back and relax as Windows goes through its setup routine. Normally, this process will take 20-45 minutes. You shouldn’t have to sit and watch the whole process, but keep an eye on it in case it asks you for any input.

9. Once the Windows setup is complete, you will go through a short registration and setup series in Windows XP. Other versions of Windows will get you straight to the Windows desktop.

10. Once at the desktop, you can start installing your peripherals. Do them one at a time and follow the directions that came with them.

11. After all peripherals are installed, install your productivity (word processor, spreadsheet, etc) and any game software you want back on the computer. Again, do them one at a time and carefully follow on-screen prompts.

12. Next, install your anti-virus software (and firewall if you use one)

13. Now you can setup your Internet service and your email.

14. Lastly, copy the files you backed up back to your hard drive. This is a good opportunity to be selective about what goes back on your computer.

Remember, this tip is designed to give you a solid "guide" on how this process works. It is not a verbatim step-by-step tip like most of my other tips on this site. Too many variables exist for me to be more precise than I have been, but it should guide you down the right path.

If you still feel overwhelmed after reading this four part tip, please consider hiring a professional to complete this process for you or take the computer into a computer shop. Remember, for Windows 95, 98 and Me machines, I recommend performing this process as a regular maintenance at least once every two years.