How To Reformat a Computer and Install Windows.. The Soon Seng Way
Recently, Joyce asked for some assistance in reformatting a computer, and reinstalling Windows XP. I sent over a file with photos I took, detailing the steps to accomplish the task. Since I already have the photos, I thought I'd just post them up. There are many ways to do the same thing (reformat and reinstall), but I thought this would be an easier way to do it.
*disclaimer: Soon Seng shall not bear any responsibility for any complications that may arise through this tutorial. This includes software and hardware malfunction, and possible coffee addiction. If uncertain, please conduct this exercise in the presence of an experienced person*
Warning! For non-coffee-lovers, please ignore all references to coffee and coffee drinking contained within the article. Thank you!
Soon Seng's Guide to Reformatting Your Computer and Reinstalling Windows
Checklist
First, make sure you have done the following;
1. Backed up your irreplaceable files.
2. Prepared the operating system CD (in this case, Windows XP) and the relevant drivers needed to run the computer.
3. Have at hand a sachet of Nescafe 3-in-1 Coffee, Regular (Strong will do as well)
Make sure you have coffee
Instructions
1. Insert the Windows cd into the cd tray (not the diskette drive, that'll just ruin your cd), and restart the computer.
2. During boot-up, press and hold the F8 key (its between the F7 and F9 key)
3. A list of sources that you can boot-up from will appear. Use the arrow keys to select the CD boot-up option.
4. You will be prompted to press any key to boot from CD. Press any key.
5. The blue screen will appear, and the drivers will load. This will take some time, so just wait until the process is complete.
You will see this screen (without my face and blog address at the bottom)
6. While loading the drivers, you may boil a kettle of water.
7. After the drivers have loaded, you will then see the Window's Setup screen. Press Enter to continue.
Press Enter!
8. It will bring you to a License Agreement document. Press F8 to continue. (if you don't agree with the License Agreement, press Esc, and consider using Linux)
9. Right after that, you'll come to this page. Since you'll want to install a fresh copy of Windows, press Esc.
Press Esc!
10. The setup will then ask you to choose which partition to install into. Normally, this will be the C: drive, so, select C: and press Enter.
Select C: and press Enter
11. This drive would normally already have Windows installed on it, thus, Setup will ask if you want to overwrite the existing Windows. Press C to continue.
Press C!
12. The Setup will now bring you to the format options page. Choose "Format the partition using the NTFS file system" option.
Choose the highlighted part..
And voila! Thats it! Just follow the instructions, and fill in the configuration forms as prompted!
13. Pour the hot water boiled earlier into a cup, and mix with the contents of the coffee sachet. Wait till slightly cool, then enjoy.
To prevent injury, wait until the temperature goes below boiling point before consumption
Look out for more feature articles!
