First time formatting

Pete.g

Hi,

Later this afternoon I'm going to try my 1st ever format of my pc, A Dell Dimension 8400.

The main problem is the blue screen of death that I've been getting on a regular basis for the past few months but I also have loads of unused programs ect that need clearing out too which are just clogging up the pc.

Now I've burn all my pics ect onto dvd as well as putting them on an external hard drive. And also burnt my drivers folder onto disc so I don't have to search the net for them all when I back up and running. I've also found a step by step guide on the net of how to do the format and been told by a guy at work it is fairly straight forward and to just follow the on screen instructions. I'm aware it could take a few hours which is fine, but I still have a few question for you guys.

1) When I start up the pc I press f12 to go into "safe mode" Do I do this with the windows xp install disc already in the drive or not, and do I leave it in throughout the process and If not at what point do I put the disc in?

2) Do I have to disconnect the modem while I format the pc?

3) How do I set up my ntlworld email account up with outlook once I have re-installed windows xp, is it easily done or should I just call Virgin techy department and get them to talk me though the process?

If there is anything else you think would help me make format as painlessly as possible please let me know as I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks,

Pete.

aliEnRIK

Put the Xp disc in as soon as you press the power button
At some point it should ask you to 'press any key to boot cd', so press one
if it DOESNT, then restart and go into BIOS (keep pressing the 'del' key on bootup)
Set the cd/dvd drive as the 1st boot device, SAVE and try again.
(Safe mode doesnt come into it)
Go through the options and when it comes up go for a FULL format (NOT quick)

Yes, id disconnect from the net whilst you set Xp up

The email system should be a simple case of inputting the 'password' and whichever servers your using (Should be able to google the settings)

What you may fail to realise is that once XP is installed it will almost CERTAINLY need 'drivers' for certain things to work. Invariably these sometimes are ~ sound, internet, graphics etc

Do you HAVE the drivers ready?

Debt_Free_Chick

If you use IE and you have loads of Favorites, you might want to copy/back them up too.

Think about cookies too, if you've ever ticked "remember me" on sites that need a password e.g. MSE. You'll lose those so you need to have saved the login details.

Airwolf1

For Outlook, copy all the settings you currently have. In Outlook, Tools > Settings. Double click each email account listed, and either copy and paste into word and print, or jot down the settings of each one, press the more settings tab and get all the details, then press next and ok. This is for Outlook 2007, it may be slightly different with 2003.

As mentioned above, copy all your favourites too.

totalsolutions

Hi
A) Don't do step 1 (why???)
Don't do step 2
C)Outlook - Tools/Account Settings - Internet email settings Write these down
D) No need to Format the Dell re-install CD will do this for you, you do have one
E) Go to the Dell web site and download all the drivers there for you PC before you start. Make sure you have the USB and Network drivers.

Do you have a "standby" PC handy?
Your first time and it looks like it going to be painful going by your knowledge and what you "your guy at work" told you.
Done this a billion times if you get stuck you can ring me as your hat is in my corner.

Pete.g

Hi guys and thanks for the replies.

I thought I may be opening a can of worms with this one but I needed to ask. As you may have guessed I'm crap with pc's I turn em on and away I go that's the extent of my knowledge.

Wont all the drivers I need be in the driver folder I copied to disc? and when I'm installing these drivers wont it just be a case of putting the disc in and the pc will pick them up automatically?

At what point do I reconnect the modem?

TS I'll PM you my number is you wanna text me yours I'll call you if it all goes tits up. I'll give it 1/2hr for anyone to send a reply then I'll go for it. :eek:

Cheers,

Pete.

aliEnRIK

If all those drivers are the ones that are needed then yes
Once Xp is installed, just goto the DEVICE MANAGER
Put the disc in. Anything with a yellow exclamation by it will need RIGHT clicking and searching for the drivers. The computer will pick the relevant ones off the disc for each device.
You will probably need to goto Nvidias or ATIs main website to get the correct graphics card driver (If you have one)

Pete.g

Right thanks guys I'll try the CTRL F11 trick.

I dont have a standby pc but do have my phone so may log on via that If I have problems.

See you on the other side :eek:

Thanks,

Pete.

Pete.g

Well that was quick!

When I press CTRL and F11 on startup nothing happens apart from some writing coming up in the top left corner but very very quickly it's gone again I mdid manage to catch the word bios though. I have tried veariuos combinations like pressing both buttons, pressing cotrl then f11 ect but nothing will get me to the dell restore window.

When I do boot up though I get "setup" and "system boot" (f12) in the right hand top corner, I get this every time I boot up.

I tried pressing f12 and it took me to a menu that says:

Boot device menu

*onboard or usb floppy
*onboard SATA hard drive
*onboard or USB CD-rom drive

*System set up
*Hard drive Diagnostics
*Boot to utility partition

When I put the xp install cd in nothing happends, how do I actaully boot from cd?

Whats my next step?

Thanks,

Pete.

fwor

Put the XP CD in, go to the boot device menu and choose

*onboard or USB CD-rom drive

XP will offer you the option of formatting the drive before it installs.

Pete.g

No never been wiped and I got it brand new outa the box. Dont know if utility partition works. Dont have time to sort it out now as I have to get ready for work soon :mad:

Will sort it in the next day or two.

Thanks for the help,

Pete.