Need help with clean installation of OS

sindersoot

okay downloaded belarc and got information list.

sindersoot

closed wrote: »

have you tried ctrl F11, what was the repair?

No didn't try that as I thought I would lose all my files, etc as I have yet to save them. Have I got that wrong? Yep, got disks handy also purchased an external hard drive yesterday to use but not sure if I need that at the moment, one more thing to learn - scream!

closed

Pressing it at bootup will tell you if the restore partition is there or not, it won't do it unless your proceed and confirm.

If you want to backup your files, do it now, you are going to have to do it anyway if you want to reinstall.

Donnie

sindersoot wrote: »

okay downloaded belarc and got information list.

Make sure you keep a copy handy, preferably on external HDD.

As to your files, just back up the whole of the Documents and Settings folder. Look here for info.

sindersoot

Oh sugar, just "saved Belarc report" was that the wrong thing to do, will it have gone over the internet? Should I just have printed it?

Okay will save all files before I do anything - just in case! To be honest probably don't have that much compared to a lot of people but there is stuff I need.

Donnie

sindersoot wrote: »

Oh sugar, just "saved Belarc report" was that the wrong thing to do, will it have gone over the internet? Should I just have printed it?

Okay will save all files before I do anything - just in case! To be honest probably don't have that much compared to a lot of people but there is stuff I need.

Nothing sent over Internet. Just go to the location where you saved it to make sure that all the information is saved in a format you can retrieve later.
You can run the program again and print a copy too. Not a bad idea.
Once you have done this and backed up any of your important files, you can begin.

First you should check, as closed has suggested, for a Recovery partition. This is the easiest option for you.
If there is none, I'll send you an XP MCE disc. If you have problems with this after all avenues have been exhausted, we will default to a standard DELL XP Professional OEM disc.

One will most certainly work.

sindersoot

Thanks Donnie and Closed. Will save everything and then give update once I have got that organised and try suggestion from Closed. Knowing the rate I will get through this lot it will be tomorrow sometime before I give update. Might surprise myself:rotfl:

Off now to install external drive and back up files.

Donnie

Tomorrow is good. Both XP MCE and Pro will be ready.

sindersoot

Saved list of Dell Drivers in Dell Site and printed copy of list.

Printed copy of Belarc list and saved site.

Saved all my files that I want to keep to external hard drive.

Problem: cannot access System Setup I think it was that you recommended. Looks like I have to go in and chance authorisation only by "SYSTEM" to me. I suppose it would be safer to delete all users with the exception of me prior to saving - is that correct?

As regards emails: Email with Google so am I right in thinking all emails will be stored with them and I can just log on after new installation of Windows which would mean I don't need to save my emails to external hard drive?

Donnie

sindersoot wrote: »

Saved list of Dell Drivers in Dell Site and printed copy of list.

Printed copy of Belarc list and saved site.

Saved all my files that I want to keep to external hard drive.

Problem: cannot access System Setup I think it was that you recommended. Looks like I have to go in and chance authorisation only by "SYSTEM" to me. I suppose it would be safer to delete all users with the exception of me prior to saving - is that correct?

No need to delete anything, as it will all be overwritten on Factory Restore.

I didn't recommend it, it was closed who advised you to hit Ctrl + F11. Maybe he knows something of the steps you are currently taking.