Find solution
How To Reformat The Computer?

How do I repair/reformat my computer (windows XP)? (READ DES.)?

  • My desktop (icons and taskbar) all disappeared not too long ago and I believe the cause was a virus which not only hid the desktop from me but also corrupted some of my system files (eg. explorer.exe). I must have tried over a dozen solutions online (I could still access programs through task manager) and still nothing worked. Even more so, is that a couple times my mouse began to corrupt itself (mouse disappears; forcing me to navigate with the keyboard) and I keep having to reinstall it. System restore doesn't work as: A) It doesn't really remove viruses (if thats the case) B) And apparently I don't have any restore points. What's even worse is that I haven't gotten around to backing up my files so I plan to do that before I reformat/repair the computer. Furthermore, I got fed up with the recurring problems to the point where the only way I could restore the desktop and fix the problem was to repair/reformat the computer. Only problem is, I don't know how to do that and I am not paying $200 + (60/80 bucks an hour) to some technician WHO BELIEVES IT WILL TAKE 5 HOURS TO COMPLETE. Personally, I think thats just their way of making money because my uncle is a technician himself and he only needs 1 hour at most (my uncle is on vacation so I can't contact him to fix my problem). Could someone please give me a detailed step-by-step procedure on how to repair/reformat windows XP? P.S. I've heard from other people that their internet icon stopped working after reformat and that they couldnt access the internet; Will this happen to me and how do I go about rectifying that?

  • Answer:

    If u would have a recoverypartition that would be great. Else u might have to reinstall windows, although there might be a possibility to rescue the system with some type of anti-virus software. Before restoring a recovery-partition or reinstalling windows try to save as much of your user-files as u can, because they wil be gone afterwards. Maybe burn your userdata to a dvd-r, but check if u can read the result. A recovery-partition is a pre-made system-backup created by the manufacturer of a computer, but if you don't have one you can make a similar backup yourself using partition-imaging software, in case something similar would happen again.

blazerde... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

I only have a solution to format the drive. 1.Visit here:http://www.dban.org/ 2.Download the software. 3.Use this to burn it to a disc:http://download.cnet.com/Active-ISO-Burner/3000-2646_4-10602452.html?part=dl-105270&subj=dl&tag=button 4.Turn your computer off and say goodbye to it. 5.Turn your computer on, without saying hi, and look for something "like" Boot Menu, BIOS, or similar. 5b.If it takes you to a page full of stuff, just look for something related to Boot Order. 6.Set the first thing to boot as the disc drive. Don't forget to save. 7.Restart your computer. 8.DBAN is fairly easy to use. You can either do a quick wipe, which isn't "that" quick, or you can do one of the high-security ones which take about 8-96 hours. 9.Assuming you have a disc containing a operating system, such as windows, place that disc in once your finished with DBAN. It should, once again, be easy enough to install. 10.Whatever you did with the boot order, do the reverse. Oh and, say hi! To stop virus' like these, buy a mac or install something such a Ubuntu, Debian or Linux instead of windows. I recommend Ubuntu. Just read up about them before doing anything. And their free!

Check to see if you have a recovery partition in "My Computer", usually D-drive. If you do you can reintall your o/s to factory settings. It may also give you an option to backup your documents. Go to Start, Settings, System Recovery, or at startup you would see a message to press F10 or F11. The only other solution would be to reinstall windows using an XP disc. In the meantime to get your desktop back try this: Bring up Task Manager Ctr+Alt+Del. Then under Processes tab click on File then New Task (Run). In the Open box, type in explorer.exe and click OK. Hopefully your desktop will be back.

First do you have the os disk on hand if so go ahead and recover all your personal files to disk then you can format the hard drive by putting the disk in the cd drive and boot from it then follow the prompts this may take some time, then load all of your virus programs and run them this should find any problems that may be there. then finish loading all of your other programs then you can copy your personal files back in As for the internet you may have to go through the proses of setting it up

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.