How to Reformat a Windows XP Computer
Level of difficulty: Intermediate
The computer degrades in performance and slows down with overuse. It also performs slower when there are many programs installed on the computer. In some cases, it is necessary to reformat the computer. Reformatting the computer can make the computer work as good as new and can get rid of unnecessary files that are taking up space on your computer.
Materials Needed:- Windows XP setup CD
- external hard drive (optional)
Step 1
Before reformatting your computer, make sure to back up all the important files on the hard disk. You can use an external hard drive to store all the files that you want to save. Double check if you have all the files that are important to you as you cannot retrieve them after reformatting.
Step 2
Open the CD tray and insert the Windows XP inside. Close the system tray and reboot the computer.
Step 3
When the computer opens, a message that says 'Press any key to boot from CD.' will appear. Press any key.
Step 4
Wait for the setup screen to appear. This may take a few seconds. A 'Welcome to Setup' message will appear. Click on the option that reads 'To set up Windows XP now, press Enter.'
Step 5
Once you press the 'Enter' key, a License Agreement will appear on the screen. Press on the 'F8' key to agree to the license agreement. After pressing the 'F8' key, the program will offer you to repair Windows XP. Press the 'Esc' key.
Step 6
A list of the partitions of the hard drive on the computer will appear. Select and delete all the partitions except for the partition with the biggest space. Select this partition and press the 'Enter' key. The installation process will start.
Step 7
Format the partition. To do this, choose the option 'Format the partition using the NTFS file system'. Press the 'Enter' key. Formatting of the partition may take a few minutes.
Step 8
After the formatting of the partition, Windows XP boots up. Follow the prompts on the screen to finish the installation of Windows XP.
Step 9
Install the necessary hardware and software on your computer. You may need to reboot the computer after installing some programs. Reconnect your hard drive to your computer and transfer all the necessary files that you backed up on the computer.