Zing!

I remember when I was reformatting for the very first time, it was a very long-winded and complicated process, and the Internet just didn't want to help! I'm sure there are users here who may not neccessarily know how to reformat and all efficiently but what the hey, maybe you'll add some stuff to this guide as I probably will post it some place else.

STEP UNO (ONE)(1)
Backup!

I think it goes without saying, as you are totally going to make your hard drive a barren wasteland full of nothingness. Everything you hold dear or think you may need after the format must be backed up. Here are some suggestions, in no particular order:

* Your 10GB folder worth of endless old skool music (I can dig it!)
* Your emails. If you use Outlook Express then I suggest using a program called Outlook Express Backup Genie.
* Images. I personally like to save my wallpaper so my newly formatted desktop looks a bit like home.
* Important word documents (zip them!)
* Any program installers which you may need. If you purchased a program from the Internet, make sure you have any activation codes.
* Your Internet bookmarks.

Use removal storage such as Zip disks, CDs and (if you're like me, which you probably aren't, and don't have a CD re-writer ) your iPod (very convenient).

Now that everything is all secure on removable media, it's time to take the plunge into the abyss...

Step Two
The crunch

Have a last look at your beautiful desktop, and shut your computer down. Or, if you're like me, press the power button a few times when the PC freezes.

Unplug any hardware which are using the USB ports and the printer parallel port. Only leave the monitor, mouse and keyboard (obviously =P)

Start your PC with the Windows XP disk inside. You'll need to boot from it. If it doesn't boot, then you must go into your system BIOS (usually F2 at the very first boot screen, your manufacturer) and go from there. It might say "Press any key to boot from CD" to which you should comply.

After Setup loads, you'll be presented with 3 options, you can either install XP, go to the Recovery Console or Quit. Pick the first option. Then, you shall be presented with a Terms screen, F8 to agree. The crucial point is now here, there will now be a screen at which it will say that there is a previous version of Windows installed. Press Enter to install a "fresh new copy". What follows is a partions screen. We're assuming that you only want one partion. Press D, Enter to confirm, and then L. On the next screen, allocate the maximum amount of space to the partion (which should be on default). After confirming that, Setup will then format the hard drive. This will take a long while, but after it's done, Setup will start installing Windows.

After formatting, Setup will probably reboot the PC. From now on, at the "Press any key to boot from CD..." screen, do not press anything, Setup will continue on its own. You'll see that colourful Windows XP setup screen here, it'll be on the later stages of installing windows (after Dynamic Update and all that) and will have around 40-1h on the timer. During the installation, the monitor will black out a few times.
At about 20 minutes left, you'll be asked to fill in the options and preferences, as well as the Key.

After the setup has finished and installed XP, it will reboot and you'll be taken to the preferences screen. Here, you'll be asked to create accounts, etc. Do not Activate windows yet. From there, you'll be taken to a nice new dektop.

Step Three
Rebuild!

I'm sure you'll want to get going now, but there are many things to do before the PC is back to normal.
For one, the PC isn't secure, and it is a good bet to install a firewall and an antivirus because when you connect to the Internet, your PC will be blasted (no pun intended towards the Blaster worm, which also needs addressing).

When I reformatted, I saved the patch versus the Blaster worm, so I wouldn't get disconnected all the time.
This is my suggested order of doing things:

1. Install firewall and antivirus
2. Install Internet, from which you can now Activate Windows
3. (If you want to stay in touch, MSN Messenger or otherwise :P) Windows Updates and firewall/antivirus updates.
4. Major drivers (the most important hardware you use, maybe audio card and printer? I don't know!)
5. Minor drivers and remaining software. Now that your PC is up and running, you can reinstall your other software and hardware.

You can mix and match with some of these. IE gave me trouble so I used FireFox for all my driver downloads, etc.



Well, that's it. I actually had to reformat yesterday, so I hope I haven't forgotten anything, like orders and such. Please tell me your opinions and suggestions for improvements! Also, don't attack me for the lame jokes too much!