Format windows xp

[vickime2u]

Hi,

 

I need to format my pc, I have tried to do a system recovery, but it hasn't solved my problem.

 

However when I bought my PC I wasn't given an XP disk, and was told that XP is stored on the PC. So how can I format the computer now?

 

Thanks.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hi Vickie

 

Welcome to FPCH

 

What is the make and model of your computer please.

[vickime2u]

It's a HP pavillion home media centre PC.

[Tootech]

Try starting your PC, and as soon as it starts, press F10, keep pressing it until your system beeps, boot to the recovery partiton, or carries on booting.

 

Most HP's have a hidden recovery partition, and F10 starts the recovery process.

 

If that doesn't work, can you post the exact model number of your PC and we will have another look at it.

[vickime2u]

I've tried the system recovery, but its made it worse than before, all my programs dont work, even after re-installing them. So I just want to start afresh and format it.

 

I've tried my Windows 98 disk that I had from my old pc, but after formatting it and installing 98 it comes up with an error and doesnt get far enough to load up the desktop.

 

Where can I find the model information without being able to access the desktop?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Well if you have used an old 98 disk to format then it's highly unlikely there will be anything left of the XP operating system.

 

What you should have done is make recovery disks in the beginning, my advice to you now is get onto HP for a new set of disks telling them what happened.

 

These won't be free of course.

[vickime2u]

OK, any idea why 98 isn't working? Also, shouldn't I have been given the disks when I bought the pc?

 

Thanks.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Vickie

 

The common practice these days is not to supply operating system installation disks, instead they install an image of the system on a recovery partition, you can then make a back up of that image to a disk as I mentioned earlier.

 

To me this is a disgusting practice but we are at their mercy on this and the onus is on you to make back up recovery disks.

 

When you tried to install 98 and formatted the hard drive you will have trashed that recovery partition.

 

Regarding why you can't install 98 to it is probably because the hard drive is larger than permitted under FAT32 plus I doubt very much if you could find hardware drivers that would run under 98 and the other aspect is that I'm assuming you had already installed 98 to a previous PC so this would contravene Microsofts EULA unless you had a volume license.

 

I can only reiterate what I said in my previous post about obtaining new system disks from HP.

[vickime2u]

So if I buy Windows XP, it should work?

 

Other than that, is buying a new pc the only option?

[BeeCeeBee]

I can only reiterate what I said in my previous post about obtaining new system disks from HP.(From Wolfeymole)

 

I would not give up on bugging HP for a new disc. Locate your model and serial number and carefully copy the Windows OEM number (around 25 figures) from the sticker on the case or on the bottom of a lappy and get on to HP. I am sure you are not the first to mess up a recovery partition and they must have a process for handling it.

[Tootech]

Have you tried to run the F10 recovery process when your PC starts?

 

It's just slightly possible that may still work.

 

Give it a go before buying new disks.

[vickime2u]

Yeah I've tried the system recovery with no success.

 

I'll give HP a ring.

 

Thanks.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Or look here.

 

HP

[vickime2u]

OK thanks, I've emailed them, so just waiting to see what they say.

 

Also, a previous error message they came up when I was trying to format it was when I was choosing to re-install the OS, when choosing a partition all it shows is the following message 4 times:

 

"Unknown Disk

(There is no disk in this drive)"

 

It doesn't respond to pressing C to create a new partition, and when pressing enter to set it up, the following error shows:

 

"A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

 

The problem seems to be caused by the following file: setupdd.sys

 

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA"

 

I dont have a clue what that means, but im guessing its serious.

[stain]

i've run into that a few times. the partition is missing files. what you were supposed to do (not many people do it) is follow the instructions in the manual and copy your recovery to dvd or cd's. if hp does'nt carry your recovery disc anymore you'll have to obtain a media centre disc and use your license from the halogram sticker on the pc.

i also recommend that you download maxblast from maxtor, create the bootable cd and use the wipe feature. it can also be used to create a backup partion or backup dvd's. great tool and it's legal as well as free.