refroamting labtop

ReV smokey255 · Mar 11, 2005, 03:55 PM

how do you do a reformat on a labtop i have a dell. the boot controls are weird

Tipstaff · Mar 11, 2005, 06:52 PM

To access the Dell boot options you normally hit F12. To change the boot priorites/order you would go into the bios which is F2.

F12 is easier as you can pick other boot devices like USB and Network card ontop of the norm without changing the boot order (and thereby saving you the hassle of having to go back into the bios to change things after your done). Drop in a bootable operating system CD such as XP/Win2K or others, and as you go through the install options it will ask you about picking a partition to install to. At this time you can delete, create, and format the hard drive.

If you want to get more indepth with formating you can look for boot CDs that have format utilities on it like Hirens BootCD, or the Ultimate BootCD. If you google you will probably find some good bootcd programs.

- Tip

Judas · Mar 11, 2005, 06:57 PM

NEVER delete or format or repartition a part of a notebooks unknown paritition. This partition holds some important things. (just to warn you)

aside from that... setup the boot options as tipstaff mentioned... and slap in a bootable cd and format the thing and reinstall...

ReV smokey255 · Mar 11, 2005, 10:51 PM

now you made me nervous so i shouldnt destory the the paration

Randy P · Mar 12, 2005, 02:18 AM

wow...all I have to do on mine (not a Dell) is just pop in the cd....erase/restore....

Judas · Mar 12, 2005, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReV smokey255

now you made me nervous so i shouldnt destory the the paration

i didn't mean that you couldn't delete or reformat every partition.. just that some notebook machines have a hidden or unknown partition at the start or end of the drive dedicated to the notebook related materials that needs to remain. There SHOULD be a least 2 partitions, one for the windows and programs and the whole bit, and one that's rather small for the notebook related info.

so if you delete or reformat a partition, make sure you don't select the hidden one....

BTW, those restore disks are great if you plan on just redoing an install with only what available on that disk.... however, if using retail version of say WINDOWS XP..... it works very differently.

ReV smokey255 · Mar 12, 2005, 03:35 AM

how i know if its the right one '

Judas · Mar 12, 2005, 04:00 AM

it should have a volume lable that is the same as your current C: drive.. or whichever drive your windows is on....

Tipstaff · Mar 12, 2005, 04:02 AM

If you see just one partition then your fine. As Judas mentioned normally the laptop hides the partition so that most times you won't see it, but some utility discs and boot discs can. At that point you just need to be careful. You should be fine though. Also, normally that hidden partition is tiny.. really tiny, and it would stand out like a sore thumb compared to the larger 'normal' useable partition. Most times the OS installer won't see the hidden ones.

- Tip

Mar 11, 2005, 03:55 PM	#1
ReV smokey255 John Kerry of video cards Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 574 Rep Power: 0	refroamting labtop how do you do a reformat on a labtop i have a dell. the boot controls are weird

Mar 11, 2005, 06:52 PM	#2
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	To access the Dell boot options you normally hit F12. To change the boot priorites/order you would go into the bios which is F2. F12 is easier as you can pick other boot devices like USB and Network card ontop of the norm without changing the boot order (and thereby saving you the hassle of having to go back into the bios to change things after your done). Drop in a bootable operating system CD such as XP/Win2K or others, and as you go through the install options it will ask you about picking a partition to install to. At this time you can delete, create, and format the hard drive. If you want to get more indepth with formating you can look for boot CDs that have format utilities on it like Hirens BootCD, or the Ultimate BootCD. If you google you will probably find some good bootcd programs. - Tip __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Mar 12, 2005, 04:02 AM	#9
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	If you see just one partition then your fine. As Judas mentioned normally the laptop hides the partition so that most times you won't see it, but some utility discs and boot discs can. At that point you just need to be careful. You should be fine though. Also, normally that hidden partition is tiny.. really tiny, and it would stand out like a sore thumb compared to the larger 'normal' useable partition. Most times the OS installer won't see the hidden ones. - Tip __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Mar 11, 2005, 10:51 PM	Thread Starter #4
ReV smokey255 John Kerry of video cards Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 574 Rep Power: 0	now you made me nervous so i shouldnt destory the the paration

Mar 12, 2005, 02:18 AM	#5
Randy P HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 489 Rep Power: 49 System Specs	wow...all I have to do on mine (not a Dell) is just pop in the cd....erase/restore....

Mar 12, 2005, 03:35 AM	Thread Starter #7
ReV smokey255 John Kerry of video cards Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 574 Rep Power: 0	how i know if its the right one '