How do you go about reformatting a computer?

Answer by  Randy998 (226)

To reformat your computer, put in your windows disk and when the boot screen comes up hit the space bar to boot from cdrom. Then walk through the installation, choosing a fresh install. Then just walk through the defaults like next next, ok etc and that will reformat your harddrive. Good luck!

Answer by  DrHarris (508)

The best way to do this is to use whatever reformatting options are available in the next OS you are installing. Almost all modern Operating Systems include the option to format your disk first. So, boot up to that installation disk, select the reformat option, and reinstall your OS.

Answer by  dannyg28 (3070)

If you are reformatting your computer, you must have some very serious problems, but to do so you need to have the original disk that comes with the computer and put it in the drive before turning the computer on when you do turn it on it will prompt you to reformat your computer and start all over again.

Answer by  XTC46 (394)

The first thing you want to do is backup any data you want to keep. Next, stick in the Operating System install CD and boot to it. When asked where you want to install the OS, select the disk and select format.

Answer by  freeling10 (38)

If you have the original installation media (disks included with the computer), insert and boot from them, then reinstall your operating system. Or use disk management to reformat one/all drives.

Answer by  KatieDeMaros (12)

This depends on what operating system you use. In windows you right click on your drive icon located in my computer, and select the format option from the menu dialog. Linux is done the same way, if you are using a GUI. From the command line you can type format then the drive letter.

Answer by  oscar56 (79)

Well you need a cd with the OS that you want to install. That will give you the option of reformatting your hard drive. Just reinstall. Everything will be lost and you will have a fresh new start.

Answer by  Amber40 (24961)

Well to reformat your main drive you will need to burn a formatting program on to a disk and booting it. Then follow the direction to format the drive. Then it will be ready for you to do a clean install back on to it.

Answer by  georgedjmatrix (29)

first of all make sure you back up all your valuable data including music, pictures, and documents. Then find your original windows OS install disk, or restore disks, insert the disk in your computer and turn your PC off. Then, turn your computer on, and select start (boot) from CD. Select fresh installation. It'll say Format HD (this will wipe the hd and reformat your pc).