How to re-install an OS

[Saab Dhansay]

Problem –

1) PC running slowly
2) Number of applications not working such as IE,
3) Virus checker cannot be installed as PC crashes during installation

Solution?

I thought that about formatting the hard drive and then re-installing the OS and Applications?

My problem is that I have never done this before and need help as to what to do ( a step by step guide)

Currently the OS = Window’s XP

Your help and thoughts are most welcome

Cheers

[pam123]

Okay we need some info from you.
Is this an OEM machine (Dell, Sony. etc.) with a restore partition and/or restore cds?
Or is it a homebuild?
If it's the latter do you have all the cds you'll need to get it back up and running so you can go on-line and download drivers?
Check first because you don't want to format and find out you don't have them after you've done that.

[GraemeM]

well you have the right idea. Formatting fixes most problems, and I recommend doing it about once a year (althogh you certainly don't have to)

As for how to, it isn't too difficult. Just search it in google. Basically to summarize it
1.) backup any files or program installers on some sort of portable media
2.) Put the XP CD in the harddrive and restart the computer
3.) If the computer doesn't boot from the CD you have to go into BIOS and change the boot sequence
4.) Run the XP setup, just follow what it says and you should do a basic install
5.) Reinstall all programs, data, etc.

That's it. Just set a day aside when you have some time, hopefully have an internet connection and another computer in case you run into problems, and it shouldn't be too difficult

[Saab Dhansay]

I brought the PC from Dell and thinking back it did come with a load of CDs, I’ll look through the CDs and let you guys know what they are.

Graeme - that sounds to simple to be true, don’t I have to Format the disk first and then boot the machine using my XP disk?

[GraemeM]

Originally Posted by Saab Dhansay I brought the PC from Dell and thinking back it did come with a load of CDs, I’ll look through the CDs and let you guys know what they are. Graeme - that sounds to simple to be true, don’t I have to Format the disk first and then boot the machine using my XP disk?

the windows install will format it for you. If you want more advanced formatting (dual boot, multiple partitions before installing the OS, etc.) you'll need to use something like Partition Magic to format it. But for a simple install the XP setup should do it all for you

And formatting really isn't that difficult, as long as nothing goes wrong. Like the person above said, have all driver CDs ready or download new drivers off the net.

[lostplanet]

if the OS isnt already installed on your hard drive in a partiton,
sometimes dell dont give you the XP home or pro CD to reinstall, if it's not in your pack of CD's contact dell support and they should send you one free of charge after some questions and checks.
i've done this several times in the UK but im not sure how it works in other countries.

[jayb1234]

A lot of dells also have a copy of the OS loaded in a restore partition.

[jayb1234]

A lot of dells also have a copy of the OS loaded in a restore partition.

Use that first if you have it.

[Saab Dhansay]

Thanks for the feedback.

I got home and found 3 CD's that came with the PC. These cleared the HD and installed all the factory fitting software.

So simple that I could do it. The program used was ‘Ghost’?

I've heard of Ghost before but not got a clue how it works

Once again thanks for your time

[GraemeM]

In case you're wondering, what Ghost does (among other things) is take an exact copy of everything on a harddrive (an image) and move it somewhere else (in your case a freshly formatted harddrive).

So Dell would of installed windows and all preinstalled setting and software and then made an image that you restored.

It's way easier and faster than reinstalling XP, and I think next time I reinstall XP, I'm going to make an image right after this to make it easier in the future.

[legend_018]

possibly different subject but I never understood using ghost if you don't have a writable cd to put the ghost image on. Some of us might not have large harddrives and what if the harddrive went bad or you didn't have access to the system. AT work we don't have writable cd drives so unless IT allows me to put the ghost image on the network, it's useless.

[GraemeM]

Originally Posted by legend_018 possibly different subject but I never understood using ghost if you don't have a writable cd to put the ghost image on. Some of us might not have large harddrives and what if the harddrive went bad or you didn't have access to the system. AT work we don't have writable cd drives so unless IT allows me to put the ghost image on the network, it's useless.

well you need to store the image somewhere, and I doubt you could fit an XP image on a CD anyways. Preferably put a second harddrive in the system or use a USB harddrive (which is very cheap if you put it together yourself), and then boot from the Ghost CD, then you just use this image.