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RandalFlagg
Stranger
Registered: 06/15/02
Posts: 15,608
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Last computer question I will ever ask
#5281563 - 02/09/06 12:16 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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My HP laptop was infected with spyware. I thought I would just format it and reinstall windows.
I am embarrassed to admit this, but I am unsure on how to proceed. I used to be very computer literate (with DOS, Windows 98, ME, etc...). I even ran a computer business for several years. But...I can't figure out what to do next.
Here's the problem: I threw in my XP CD. I rebooted the computer. I told it to reinstall XP. It didn't give me the choice to format. It installed XP and I checked and my computer hadn't been formatted. Formatting was the whole point of doing all of this. So, I attempt to format in the MS-DOS shell. It won't let me because Windows is active. So, I start looking around on how to boot the computer into a shell so there will be no windows to stop the format process. It appears as if you can't do that with XP. I went to "Help" and looked up format and the Help program just jams up and I have to close it.
Ack!
My computer is now all goofy and my wireless internet won't work. So, I now have internet access sporadically (whenever I make it to the library). If anybody knows how I should proceed please PM or write to me in this thread. Also, for anybody who is going to the Canadian ski gathering...it would be cool if tech nerds could help me fix this (I would just bring my laptop to the chalet) in person.
P.S. Don't feel miffed if I don't respond immediately. I don't know how often I can make it to the library.
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OJK
Stranger

Registered: 06/08/03
Posts: 10,629
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Re: Last computer question I will ever ask [Re: RandalFlagg]
#5281599 - 02/09/06 12:27 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Can you perhaps format from a bootdisk?
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rawtoxic
Stranger
Registered: 10/06/02
Posts: 2,097
Loc: smokey mountains
Last seen: 13 years, 5 months
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Re: Last computer question I will ever ask [Re: OJK]
#5281616 - 02/09/06 12:31 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Yeah that should work.
Good ole bootdisk or CD if you have no 1.44 drive.
http://www.computerhope.com/boot.htm
^^^ Instructions galore.
Have fun. Might need to find a original DOS verision. The one windows uses is a shell/emulator of some sort.
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RandalFlagg
Stranger
Registered: 06/15/02
Posts: 15,608
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Re: Last computer question I will ever ask [Re: OJK]
#5281621 - 02/09/06 12:32 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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I can't get on the internet with my comp. I'm on a library comp. right now. I automatically assumed that my XP cd would do everything that needed to be done...I see that I was wrong.
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rawtoxic
Stranger
Registered: 10/06/02
Posts: 2,097
Loc: smokey mountains
Last seen: 13 years, 5 months
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Re: Last computer question I will ever ask [Re: RandalFlagg]
#5281648 - 02/09/06 12:38 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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OK I'll PM you some stuff... Give me a few mins.
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Ramlaen
Pysconaut


Registered: 11/06/04
Posts: 638
Last seen: 13 years, 1 month
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Re: Last computer question I will ever ask [Re: rawtoxic]
#5281911 - 02/09/06 01:52 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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I believe the newer model hps have a restore partition that can be accessed with i believe f10 at startup, if you look up your model number it will give you instructions. And it will restore the laptop to the day you bought it
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OJK
Stranger

Registered: 06/08/03
Posts: 10,629
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Re: Last computer question I will ever ask [Re: RandalFlagg]
#5281913 - 02/09/06 01:53 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Hrmm,
The Windows XP install CD can format drives, but I think it might not if you have a functioning version of windows installed on the drive. I remember I found the same thing when I installed windows 2000 on my friends Win98 computer.
I can't remember off the top of my head how to get to the format menu from the XP loader...
EDIT: check out this page
good luck bro
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Ramlaen
Pysconaut


Registered: 11/06/04
Posts: 638
Last seen: 13 years, 1 month
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Re: Last computer question I will ever ask [Re: Ramlaen]
#5281989 - 02/09/06 02:13 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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yea you have to hit esc first in order to format it
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero


Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
Loc: Caribbean
Last seen: 2 months, 20 days
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Re: Last computer question I will ever ask [Re: Ramlaen]
#5284560 - 02/10/06 03:19 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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To ensure that XP formats, I always remove and recreate the partition during the install. On the screen where it asks you where you want to install, and shows you a list of partitions (usually one large, and one 7 meg at the end), follow the prompts to delete the partition. Then create a new partition, 100% of the size of the disk, and continue as normal.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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Bully
CheapShot-SinisterStrike

Registered: 07/30/04
Posts: 3,229
Loc: Pennsyltucky, USA
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Re: Last computer question I will ever ask [Re: RandalFlagg]
#5284802 - 02/10/06 07:21 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Press F8 while you boot and it will take you to the menu you need
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero


Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
Loc: Caribbean
Last seen: 2 months, 20 days
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Re: Last computer question I will ever ask [Re: Bully]
#5284956 - 02/10/06 08:38 AM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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> Press F8 while you boot and it will take you to the menu you need
I am extremly curious as to how the menu from F8 will help him format his drive?
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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RandalFlagg
Stranger
Registered: 06/15/02
Posts: 15,608
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Re: Last computer question I will ever ask [Re: OJK]
#5295744 - 02/13/06 04:45 PM (17 years, 11 months ago) |
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Thanks Odium. Your link showed me how to get into a shell and format XP.
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