Re-formatting the hard drive

Stick the XP CD in the drive, reboot, and follow instructions is the easiest way. Just be sure to format when given the option, or you're going to have two listings for XP when you boot.

But before you do, either download a copy of SP2 (the full thing, not the downloader) or order the SP2 CD and be sure that is installed BEFORE you connect to the Internet. If you can, make a slipstreamed install CD (instructions can be found on numerous sites around the Internet)

Then hit Windows Update and install all crittical updates, reboot and head back to Windows Update to make sure there aren't any more crittical updates. Reboot and repeat until you no longer have any crittical updates to install.

The next step is to download a browser besides IE. I personally like Mozilla Firefox, but there's also Mozilla proper, and Opera. Download one, two, or all three, and then bar use of IE for anything but Windows Update. You should also use this opportunity to find an email client besides Outlook Express if necessary. This will go a long ways to prevent the problems from happening again.

You also want to make sure there's an up to date virus scanner installed. If you need a free one, you've got AVG Free, and Avast for choices.

At this point, you should also make seperate accounts for the kids and your friend. Make sure the kid's accounts are limited user accounts so they can't install something that will ravage the entire system. You can set up games and other programs from an admin account.

These simple steps will go a very long ways towards preventing another such occurance.

fireman043,

You cannot format the drive from Windows.

System will need to boot from the CD Rom using the XP CD.
From their follow the prompts. You will want to delete to current partition, ALL data will be lost. Then install XP on the current un-partition space (or words to that effect).

After install password protect the Admin account, set each kid up with limited accounts. The kids will be able to use the computer but not install or download.

Bill

I have a program called WipeDrive that will format a hard drive. I've used it several times and was happy with the results. Once the hard drive was clean, I reinstalled the operating system, drivers and software. No matter how you do it, be sure to have your friend save anything important before you do a format.

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With windows XP has a problem with typing in a site make sure that the person is typing in the site as www. not just the word in the address box. This will slow the computer down XP doesnt like it it searches long and hard and takes away from the rest of the computer. I found this out the hard way that is what i did and a friend showed me what i was doing the task manager shows the processes and how much is being use on what process. Hope this helps

First of all, no need to reformat to fix pop-up problem.
However, if you really want to format. OK here you go:
*Backup all neccessary data to floppy, zip, CD, or network share, whatever available.
*Make sure you have all drivers for hardware such as display, sound, modem, ethernet, etc.
*Restart your computer, while the compute go through POST test press DEL key ( or whatever key up to motherboard, but normally DEL key) to access BIOS setup
*Go to Advance BIOS setup, Boot order, and select CDROM as the first one in the list so that computer will boot from CDROM
*Put XP Home CD to CD Drive
*Exit and Save BIOS Setup
*Now computer will boot from CD. It may ask press any key to boot from CD...You need to pay attention and react correctly and on time otherwise you have to restart computer again if computer boot from hard drive.
*It will run through the hardware test process.
*It will ask you if you want to install. Press Enter.
*Press F8
*Select the partition you want to install operating system. Enter.
*It will detect the previous operating system and ask you if you want to keep existing intact or want to format. Select format. Enter
*What type of FORMAT you want FAT, FAT32, or NTFS
*NTFS is always the best choice unless you plan to dual boot with old operating system like Windows 9x.
*After finishing FORMATING process, it will install XP operating system to your computer. You continue whatever you have to do from here...Email me if you need more help at tuan2yh@yahoo.com