[dba-Tech] Format hard drive and start over

Hi Tina,
Run SpinRite and have do a check of the entire hard drive. Doesn't pay to go
through installing the OS from scratch if the hard drive is bad. I have a
ton of hard drives laying around here if you need a different one let me
know.

If you have a Product Key number (on the MS sticker) on the case of the
computer you can use a disk with the same product to install Windows from
scratch. Then you won't need to worry about formatting or anything as it
will be an option in the installation procedure. If installing XP and it has
less than SP2 then download SP2 and SP3 on you main PC. Install those SPs
from a USB stick as soon as Windows install is done. If you need drivers for
the PC you can download them from the manufacturer's web support site and
install them from a USB stick too. XP, SP2 and SP3 will take some time to
install so don't bother watching them once started :o)

Also don't bother installing any additional apps (including security) until
done with all of this.

Good Luck Tina!


-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Tina Norris
Fields
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 7:06 PM
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Subject: [dba-Tech] Format hard drive and start over

Hi,

Please hold my hand while I do this for the first time.  I've been given 
a used Win XP machine, with a 60GB hard drive that is failing.  I would 
like to reformat this hard drive and reinstall the operating system and 
see if I can get some good out of the machine - for teaching kids and 
others, and for playing around; this is not a production machine for 
me.  Before I dive into this for the first time, I would like a little 
guidance.  Okay?  I'm listening.

Thanks,
T
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