How to reformat...?

GlasgowTitan

GlasgowTitan

GlasgowTitan

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Hey guys, I'm going to reformat my pc in a couple of days, I built it from scratch from OcUK about 2 years ago and it needs cleaning out so I figured just start from scratch. I've never done this before and have no clue how to go about it.

I have windows XP and will probably have to download SP2 again. Basically wondering how I go about reformatting and any tips on any problems and stuff I might encounter.

Cheers
 
It will allow you too format and partition the drive during the XP install process.
Just make sure your BIOS is set too boot from CD/DVD ROM first and boot your rig with the XP Disc in the drive.
 
1. Save any data you want to keep... and make sure you have your drivers to hand.. (dont want to re-install windows and then find you dont have the driver to access the net, only to find you need to be online to download it...)

2. REMOVE any overclocks (just to make sure... generally if your overclock is stable, there shouldn't be any problem installling when overclocked, but better safe than sorry..)

3. Set cd/dvd drive as 1st boot device, insert windows cd, reboot

4. Boot from the cd, follow on screen instructions. At one point near the beginning of the install, it should ask you where you want to install windows, you can then delete any partitions and re-set them up, and format them from here.

5. Continue installing, then install drivers (i install the motherbaord drivers 1st, then the gfx drivers, then all other drivers, then do windows update..)

6. Install all the carp you just removed :D
 
Speaking of drivers I've got an Opteron 146 and I remember something about them needing a 64 bit driver, where do I get this from? I've got an ASRock dual sata motherboard if that makes any difference...

The drivers I think I'll need are:

Motherboard,
CPU,
gfx card

...any others?

Cheers again. :)
 
Remember when backing up stuff to save your favourites, any pics or documents you use.
It's a bummer getting everything back up and running then finding you've no sites in your favourites.
 
Oh thats a good idea mate, I'm using firefox, just had a quick look in the bokmarks folder, any idea how to save them? Do you save them in a file or folder or something?
 
Well, from the AMD site :)

Presume your using onboard sound?

You don't really need any others, unless you want to download the individual files from the manufacturers, like the sound drivers from Realtek etc.

Oh and concerning firefox, I believe you can just drag the bookmarks folder out of the 'bookmarks - organise bookmarks' tab, then onto your desktop then copy it to some form of media or something.
 
Last edited:
I have to remove the service pack 1st before i can format other wise i get message the version of windows your installing is older then the one your already using
 
cleric said:
I have to remove the service pack 1st before i can format other wise i get message the version of windows your installing is older then the one your already using
Click to expand...

...Well, if your installing over the old O/S, then it might come up with the error, but you can just install over it...

Still, I'd rather click 'delete partition' before even attempting to install a new O/S :)

That or boot to FDISK and delete the partitions that way.
 
Just looked for my motherboard drivers and I cant find the manual or driver disk anywhere, where do I get drivers for the ASRock dual Sata?

I've looked ON HERE but I have no idea which driver I need to get! Same goes for the BIOS things do I need to download them aswell? If so which one?

Thanks
 
Er, which driver are you wanting to get?

Cause if you don't have a RAID setup, you 'shouldn't' need an F6 driver...However some older cd's will require one.

You will need to go into the BIOS to get the cd-rom to boot first...then change the 'boot order'.
 
Delvis said:
Er, which driver are you wanting to get?
Click to expand...

lol just one that lets my pc work I guess!! Ive only got 1 hard drive so dont need RAID. The windows disk I have says it comes with service pack 1a.

Will I need to update the BIOS with one of the files from that webpage I mentioned above onceI've reformatted, or just get one of the drivers?
 
You will need the motherboard chipset drivers and the internet one. As for Service Pack 1, just use it and then download SP2 when you have set up everything and install over the top.
 
Don't suppose you know what bios version you are running now do you?

If your not having problems, you may as well just leave it for now.

regarding drivers, you will need the Realtek one, the Windows XP one (32-bit)...The LAN driver, then you would need to download the AMD cpu driver from they're site.

You would think there would be a chipset driver on that page as well...
 
Well like I said for some reason there isn't a download link for 'chipset drivers'...

Unless someone else has the same board, and hasen't needed to specifically needed to install them like that.
 
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