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General discussion

I need help with formating my laptop

by lieweheksie777 Mar 7, 2009 9:19AM PST

I have a Averatec laptop that has been giving me so many problems lately and I think the only way to fix it is to format it. One little problem, I dont have any software. What do I need and what is going to be the easiest way to do it? I run windows xp home with sp2, not upgraded yet. Thank you.

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
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Format the Laptop
by gysgtusmc74 Mar 7, 2009 11:38AM PST

Do you have a recovery partition? Would probably be on the "D" drive under "My Computer". You could probably access the recovery without having a disk. How about "System Restore" if you have winxp? Barring any of these things you need to find someone with an install disk (am assuming you have xp by the way). Are you sure you didnt get an install disk for windows when you got the comp?

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Format laptop
by lieweheksie777 Mar 8, 2009 5:31AM PDT

My "D" drive is my DVD-RW drive. System Restore only goes back to Dec 2008 and that wont help me at all. Yes I run win xp home. I have to admit, I did get a disk with my computer but am in the us and home is in south africa, needless to say I left all my software at home, didnt think I was gonna stay this long!!!

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Does it have a CD or DVD burner?
by Steven Haninger Mar 7, 2009 9:41PM PST

It's possible that your laptop has the ability to create its own recovery disks. Many come only that way now. Otherwise, the manufacturer might be able to provide them (at a cost) if the end of the support life of the product has not been reached.

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CD burner
by lieweheksie777 Mar 8, 2009 5:35AM PDT

It is just over two years old and I don't mind paying for the software, I just don't know what all I need before I go over to actually formatting it. I don't want to start the format and then halfway through realize that there is essential software that I need that I don't have.
If I can, from where do I create the recovery disks?

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Format Laptop
by gysgtusmc74 Mar 8, 2009 6:04AM PDT

If all you want to do is reinstall windows then you can buy an xp install disk on ebay or try a retail store that sells computer software. You would then boot to the disk and follow the instructions provided. You would want to delete the previous version of windows, create a new partition, and then format and install xp to the new partition. If that is what you mean by any other software then no that is all you would need to have a fresh copy of windows xp. You will also probably need to install drivers for your video, audio, modem, and network upon completing the new xp install. Device manager is where you want to go after installing windows to see what drivers might be needed.

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Laptop Format
by gysgtusmc74 Mar 8, 2009 6:09AM PDT

I left this out. If it is available you would find the recovery disk creation by going to the start menu and select accessories from the programs list and then look for something like create recovery disks or something along those line. Would probably need 5-7 cds to do this.

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backup hard drive
by toleson Oct 16, 2009 1:40AM PDT

You might consider getting a external hard drive before formating your hard drive.

Than you can get a disk to wipe your hard drive.
The software is called WipeDrive.
I used the software on my computer and it worked.

Ty

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