I have a Compaq 6000 desktop computer. It's been giving me much trouble and I think the easiest way to fix is to just wipe it clean. I'm backing up everything I want to keep. But I am unsure of how to format/wipe clean an OS. I have my XP disk that came with the computer if that can help. [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

 

Try just booting off of the XP CD. It should give you the option to either format and start clean, or reinstall over top.

You'd obviously want to start clean. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

 

You'll need to remove the partition using fdisk,xp will install the new partition(95-98 you must add a primary dos partition)

 

Yeah. I'm having trouble backing up my stuff. My dvd burner and cd burner are being attacked by something.

 

Just boot to the XP CD and follow prompts to format and install WINXP!!

 

from what i understand is that compaq computers require propritary operating systems to run
i do believe you can download it from there website

 

Err... no.

Compaq sends a restore disk with their systems. But it's not REQUIRED to make it run. If you have a regular copy if Windows, you can just use that.

Personally I'd do without it [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

[edit for clarity]

[ May 22, 2004, 08:02 PM: Message edited by: JordyO ]

 

*cough* compaq's suck *cough* buy a new REAL computer *cough* lol [img]tongue.gif[/img]

 

to easily do it. go into bios and make it boot from CD (make sure windows xp cd is in) when the menu shows up it asks if you want to Install or Repair. Hit install, hit F8 to agree, then it will show you your partitions. Highlight them, hit the D button, it will ask if you are sure. Hit enter. then hit L (it will ask if your sure again) after that, you will have no partitions. SO go to free space. Hit the C button and make the partition as big as u want (it will show you how much space you have) When you created the new partition, then it will ask if you want to format partition if FAT32 or NTFS, pick one. Hit ENTER and it will begin to insall XP.

You can't use fdisk if you want a NTFS partition. so fdisk is a waste of time. Even if you want to format in fat32 you still use the CD