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Question

Need to re-format C Drive

by Jul 26, 2011 9:42AM PDT

My pc has just been hit by a virus attack and despite running McCaffee Security Center and running system restore - which didn't restore - the viruses wouldn't go away. I changed the user to 'guest', ran the anti virus again and this time it showed no problems. So, I decided to delete my user account from the pc and start a fresh one on reboot. This I did but now, the C Drive is showing as 0 bytes although programs are still showing on the desktop and I was able to access the internet.

I do not have recovery disks so is there any way I can re-format the C Drive? When I right clicked on the C drive icon and scrolled to re-format, it asked that I closed all programs that are are open or running and I wasn't sure how to do this. I'd be grateful for any help. My pc is an HP Media Center running on Windows XP Professional.

Discussion is locked

6 Posts
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Answer
So What Do You Do After Reformatting???
by Forum moderator Jul 26, 2011 10:06AM PDT

If you don't have reinstallation discs, then wiping the drive with a reformat causes nothing to work..

There is hope though...

For most HP computers, there should be a Recovery Partition (usually a D: drive), which can be run by pressing F10 or F11 immediately after powering up the computer.. Check the HP website for specific Recovery Partition instructions for your computer model number but it's generally easy to start the computer, press the correct F-key to access the recovery screen, then follow the prompts to recover the computer..(Remember, after formatting and such a destructive recovery, all your personal documents and files will be gone. Hopefully, you have backups of such.) If the Recovery Partition still exists, the recovery partition procedure will format the hard drive, then reinstall the operating system and all drivers and software back to the factory state.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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F1 Key...?
by jools711 Jul 29, 2011 3:48PM PDT

Hi Grif,

Thanks for your suggestions. I visited the HP site and followed the instructions for my computer (HP Media Center m7250n) but after pressing the F10 key after the welcome screen, I was asked fore the relevant disks which of course I don't have. I've tried the F1 set up key after the welcome screen and am assuming my pc is plug and play, was ready to hit 'yes' but was worried in case I might do more damage. Could you advise if this is a safe route to follow and if so, what's the procedure? Incidentally, I checked the HP forums and another user with the same computer had a similar problem; he was sent a link to a site that sells recovery disks for HP computers so if the F keys don't work, there is that option.

Many thanks,
Julian

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If there is no recovery partition
by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jul 29, 2011 8:52PM PDT

then your only option is to get those Recovery Disks from HP.

Just remember to get full instructions on how to use those disks before you start using them. The HP site should give you step b step guidance.

Mark

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Reply to: If there is no recovery partition
by jools711 Aug 1, 2011 11:40PM PDT

Thanks Mark, I've checked out where to get the disks together with instructions for installing. Thanks for your help and suggestion.

Julian

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F1 Should Be the BIOS Setup Key...
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Aug 1, 2011 9:14AM PDT

....and it won't allow you to restore anything.. It accesses the BIOS settings so you can change such..

As Mark stated, if there is no recovery partition, your only option is to purchase the Recovery Discs from HP.. They're are generally reasonably priced.


Hope this helps.

Grif

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Reply to: F1 Should Be the BIOS Setup Key..
by jools711 Aug 1, 2011 11:38PM PDT

Thanks Grif, it does look like I'll have to purchase those recovery disks - the computer was due for a clean out anyway and most of the important stuff was backed up. Thanks for your help and suggestions.

Julian

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