Need to re-format PC - help

Fuzzy_2

Hi

Have reported some problems after getting rid of a trojan see here for that thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=690615

I've tried a system restore, but for some reason that was switched off, so that didn't work! I've reached the conclusion that my only way forward is to re-format the PC and re-load all the software. So please can I have some advice on a how-to-do this in easy (for me to understand) steps. It's a Mesh PC using Windows XP, and I have the disk that Mesh supplied for XP. I have backed up my docs etc, so what else should I do before starting? Then how do I do the re-format etc... I have looked on the forum for something like this but couldn't find anything otherwise I wouldn't have asked!

Many thanks for your time and patience

F

magyar

Bleargh! Rebuilding your PC sort of falls into the category of 'if you have to ask how to do it, you shouldn't try!'.

The answer very much depends on what you've got on your PC, how 'customised it is' and so on. You need to back up all your settings, favourites, etc. as well - although Windows does have a tool to help with this.

I note from your other thread that when you tried to reinstall MS Office it says 'source file corrupted', which might be a problem with the CD (equally might be a problem with the trojan).

A few things I would ask first
- do you have installation media for EVERYTHING you currently use?
- do you have another way of accessing the Internet, in case you need to search for help during the process?
- do you have a 'guru' friend you could get to help, or maybe search for a reasonably-priced techie to do this?

Personally, I'd suggest it's well worth paying someone to fix the problem.

Hungerdunger

If you still want to give it a try, you will find hundreds of guides by doing a Google Search for "reinstall Windows XP". Here's one to start with.

Why not try reading through a couple, and find the one which is most comprehensible.

glosman555

There are two video tutorials on Youtube by an Australian guy with the user name of romancingdashadow that might help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUdZUlfNCSk

aardvarkuk

Fuzzy wrote: »

It's a Mesh PC using Windows XP, and I have the disk that Mesh supplied for XP.

Insert disc, restart PC and I reckon the I install will begin as this sounds like a restore disc not a proper XP disc.

You may have to change the boot order.

D.K.

If you remove and store everything, then replace it all....wouldn't the trojan still be there along with everything else?

aardvarkuk

D.K. wrote: »

If you remove and store everything, then replace it all....wouldn't the trojan still be there along with everything else?

It would be but when installing an OS its always best to format and ghosting usually formats anyway and from an XP disc format should be chosen.

Fuzzy_2

Hi all

Thank you for your replies. The trojan has been wiped, so that won't be an issue. Yes magyar I should really get someone in to do this, but that's not easy to arrange!

I do have a lap top, so can access the internet. I will check that I have original install media, I have got all for things I have added since purchase, but not sure whether the disk supplied by Mesh has all the progs that were pre-installed (ie DVD player s/w). Don't need or want MS works that was on PC.

There is more that is not quite right with the PC before the recent episode. I can't get it to recognise an Ipod, or either my Nokia and DS Sony Ericsson phones. It can't find drivers for any of these.

aardvarkuk what's the difference between a restore disk and a proper XP disk, which would be better? So if so how do I get hold of a proper XP disk? After all I have paid for it to be on my PC! Are you saying that you should do a re-format drive before doing install, just to get rid of any problems?

Cheers

stebiz

Fuzzy wrote: »

Hi all

I do have a lap top, so can access the internet.

Well I would say that was a great start. When I formatted my first machine about 10 years ago (Win 95) it wasn't quite as straight forward. I didn't have a spare pc or laptop and struggled good style. This was in the days of dial up connections and init strings etc. You don't know your born these days;)

Stebiz

dld2s

stebiz wrote: »

Well I would say that was a great start. When I formatted my first machine about 10 years ago (Win 95) it wasn't quite as straight forward. I didn't have a spare pc or laptop and struggled good style. This was in the days of dial up connections and init strings etc. You don't know your born these days;)

Stebiz

Stebiz, win 95, you don't know you were born, you ought to have tried DOS and win 3.1, now there was a challenge:D

Fuzzy, usually the restore discs from the manufacturer are quite good and they usually walk you through everything pretty easily, it's not hard, it's just a bit worrying if it's the first time you have done it.

magyar

Fuzzy wrote: »

aardvarkuk what's the difference between a restore disk and a proper XP disk, which would be better? So if so how do I get hold of a proper XP disk? After all I have paid for it to be on my PC! Are you saying that you should do a re-format drive before doing install, just to get rid of any problems?

Basically a restore disk is a 'snapshot' of your PC as it was when it left the factory. In other words, it should be exactly as it was when you bought it.

A 'proper XP disk' is the operating system as Microsoft sell it. This may not include all the bits and pieces needed to make your system work.

I don't know what Mesh do, but virtually all large manufacturers provide a restore disk.

What aardvarkuk was referring to is that IF what you got is an 'XP' disk, then when you boot from it, you'll get a number of options, including repairing windows. My experience is that it's not much cop for getting rid of problems. The option you need is 'format disk', in other words, wipe everything off it and start again.

I think this is a moot point; I'll bet that you've got a restore disk which will just put your computer back as you bought it.

In which case, it's usually quite easy. You bung the disk in the drive, it will probably say "Warning, you know you're going to lose everything, don't you!" and you say yes.