Reformatting an HP computer

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wickedDUDE

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Jun 25, 2006
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hi,

my friend has an HP computer and he wants to reformat it. He says there's a button you can press which will reformat the computer, this way the software that initally came with the computer will still be there.

Where is this button?

Thanks.
 


The button is on the hard drive. Take a very large hammer, preferably a sledge. And hit the button with all you got.



*disclaimer: DruSam will not take responsibility for the things he says or the actions of his readers.
 
On my HP, you go to start>programs>accessories>system tools> and then system restore. It gives you an option of a full reformat in there. It may not be the same for him though.
 
lazor:

mine is an hp pavillion 523 N.... which version do you have?

Also - did your HP come with a bunch of software? My friend doesnt know much about computers but he said that a lot of software came with it for free, and after reformatting all that software should still be there. Is this true if we reformat your way?

Also - is there any risk to reformatting an HP the "regular" way? Will Internet Explorer still work after that? Obviously the extra software wont be there, but is there any risk to this or am I just worrying for nothing?
 
This is what I did with my laptop when it needed to be blown away. I reformatted, reinstalled winblows, updated all the drivers, installed the must have software, web, gps, phone,etc. I backed backed the drive up to a disk image and burned it to a dvd and a boot cd. This way the next time I can restore not only a working machine, but a fully functional machine. Watch the amount of space you use before doing the backup and remember it can use compression. I like [SIZE=-1]Acronis software for backup.
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A lot of newer machines have the restore SW installed on a seperate partition on the hard drive. There is a key combination you need to hit to access it if that is what you have. Look on HP.com.

I know this is how it is with Dell PC's.
 
Shit I just saw this now. Mine didn't come with software. I'm not positive though, it may have, and if it did I have no clue where it is. Good to hear you got it done though.
 
wickedDUDE said:
hi,

my friend has an HP computer and he wants to reformat it. He says there's a button you can press which will reformat the computer, this way the software that initally came with the computer will still be there.

Where is this button?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Without addressing the saved information on your boot sector and private partitions you will be losing storage every time you reformat this way. Windows saves certain setting ect in sectors of the boot disk, and reformatting this way is not a true reformat. In fact, many times when people reformat this way for virus and a myrad of other problem they still remain. This is because most of the really nasty viruses and some faulty settings reside in the boot sector of the memory. Consequently, these problems will not be cleared by this reformat method. The DOD procedure for reformatting is as follows:

1)Download a program gdisk/boot and nuke(either will suffice)
2)Burn the program as a bootable cd. (**note your bois must be set to 3)accept bootable cd's most machines after 98 have this option)
4)Run the program and wipe the hard drive
5)Put in bootable OS of choice cd and enjoy a totally wiped system.

It will take a hour to three depending on the machine and hard drive to wipe. I know it takes much longer but it will be more beneficial for you in the long run. Just thought I would post this for information proposes.
 
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