how do i reformat my computer?

Win vista home premium

I did it before with acer eRecovery, but for some reason it isn't downloading right now , it was simple with that programme, did a complete reformat of the computer

It seems norton has found a trojan , this is why

is there another way

thanks
harjun

Can't Norton just remove the trojan? And why inflict Norton upon yourself?

no it can't. i just wanna reformat anyway, lots of junk on the computer

I'm not too sure with Vista, but when booting from the XP disc it gives you the option to format your harddrive before installing XP on it. I'd have to look up if it's the same for Vista. If your using two harddrives you can re-format your secondary harddrive as long as it's not being used.
~Bryan~

well i have never tryed this on my PC at home (Vista) but im on my laptop atm (XP Media center edition) but on media center edition, there is an option in the menu called "Smart Re-Store" when you click it, it gives you a few options. You can either completely wipe your system and do a fresh install, or you can do a fresh install, but pick any files you want to keep on there. Have a look around for that harjun.

Quote from Nathan_French_14 :

well i have never tryed this on my PC at home (Vista) but im on my laptop atm (XP Media center edition) but on media center edition, there is an option in the menu called "Smart Re-Store" when you click it, it gives you a few options. You can either completely wipe your system and do a fresh install, or you can do a fresh install, but pick any files you want to keep on there. Have a look around for that harjun.

no...i havent got that as i said, i had this this called Acer Recovery which did exactly the same thing as your Smart Re-Store, well i can try download smart restore...do you think that will work?

I'm guessing computer was pre-packaged with Vista? In that case your stuck to using whatever OS reinstalling/formatting system it was shipped with, unless you buy another copy of Vista. Most of the pre-packaged restore systems off an option of re-installing Windows or formatting and then re-installing Windows.

Some manufacturers doesn't deliver the OS, or a system recovery on CD/DVD, but instead have it on it's own partition on the harddrive. Usually with a program in Windows to make the disks yourself (which you should do in case of a total failure). So deleting that partition isn't a good idea unless you have backups. To invoke the system recovery, you usually do that either from a program in Windows, or by pressing a hot-key before boot. F11 or F12 for example, or from a menu inside the bios. If the recovery partition is still there, but you can't access it from Windows, or by the afore-mentioned methods, you can use a partition manipulating program and set it active, and then try to boot.

Quote from arco :

...

Yes actually that's right the Packard Bell I use had a partition on the hard drive where it stored the data to make the recovery CDs, which I did ages ago. The Compaq the rest of the family use, which I practice re-installing Windows on a regular basis has a recovery system activated by pressing F2 on startup. I really don't like how there's no option to make discs so if the hard drive died or my brother some how managed to make it lose its formatting (like he did on the laptop) it would be time to buy another copy of Windows.

All this doesn't really make a difference though it's still some kind of recovery program just activated in a different way that gives you an option to reinstall Windows or format and then reinstall Windows.

Quote from ajp71 :

I really don't like how there's no option to make discs so if the hard drive died or my brother some how managed to make it lose its formatting (like he did on the laptop) it would be time to buy another copy of Windows.

A cheaper way would be to just borrow an OS disc from someone else, and use the product key on the sticker that's usually attached to the computer.

yep, its all working now, i have 2 partitions, and basically, i got the acer erecovery thing to work (downloaded it from acer site), and then i "return to default factory settings", so i did that, and on Partition 1, i have vista, and then i found a windows XP disc lying around from my old computer, and now i have XP on partition 2...

So right now, XP is VERY VERY fast on this laptop, so i'm keeping xp , as for vista, i have made a disc which returns the laptop to factory settings, so all i have to do is insert the CD at startup, and then it will return computer to Factory settings, ....so basically, it is just a vista Operating disc

I have deleted vista, for other reasons...such as i need the other 80Gb section on my harddrive

so thanks for the help anyways

thanks so much guys
i will always appreciate you

( i asked on proper forums, PC forums, and all they said, was dont do it, and no one else replied, but you guys, are like BROTHERS! )

All good!

Quote from arco :

All good!

thanks mate

Harjun, to remove the risks of having to reformat again, I suggest getting Avast (free) or NOD32 (free trial then buy). I own NOD32 and it has been working great for me for ages. Some other programs you should get is AVG, CCleaner, and MRU-Blaster. But you did good on getting everything done!

^Not to sound like a douche, but I have never used any of those (or any other for that matter...) A/V or Norton, or any of that other crap on my Windows XP Home OEM edition, came with my computer 5 years ago, reformatted 3 years ago. Installed all the updates, only used FF, deleted IE, Only used Ares for p2p stuff, and used SP2 firewall. I've never gotten a virus, excpet once I accidently clicked the wrong .exe link and it installed some shit virus that I just had to Ctrl+alt+delete, wipe it from the processes and it was gone. I don't get how people get sooo infected with stuff ovver the course of a month even.
~Bryan~

Quote from h3adbang3r :

Harjun, to remove the risks of having to reformat again, I suggest getting Avast (free) or NOD32 (free trial then buy). I own NOD32 and it has been working great for me for ages. Some other programs you should get is AVG, CCleaner, and MRU-Blaster. But you did good on getting everything done!

Ok thanks mate, i will try that Avast thing, as right now i have NO internet security, when i get home, 2-3 hours, i have Norton Internet security, which came free with the Computer, but i already had norton installed, with the 60 day trial period, but i kept turning my clock back for a laugh, and it said i had loads of days left , do you think i should install norton?...or should i get that Avast?, also, AVG isn't free is it?

Quote from dropin_biking :

^Not to sound like a douche, but I have never used any of those (or any other for that matter...) A/V or Norton, or any of that other crap on my Windows XP Home OEM edition, came with my computer 5 years ago, reformatted 3 years ago. Installed all the updates, only used FF, deleted IE, Only used Ares for p2p stuff, and used SP2 firewall. I've never gotten a virus, excpet once I accidently clicked the wrong .exe link and it installed some shit virus that I just had to Ctrl+alt+delete, wipe it from the processes and it was gone. I don't get how people get sooo infected with stuff ovver the course of a month even.
~Bryan~

ok....nice life story

Norton = Crap. Don't bother.

AVG Anti-Virus has a free edition (at free.grisoft.com iirc), and personally i'm more than happy with "AVG Pro + Firewall) esp as i got 5 2 year licenses for £25.

I use AVG free edition, is working quite good so far.

Quote from Gil07 :

I use AVG free edition, is working quite good so far.

thanks

Quote from dropin_biking :

I don't get how people get sooo infected with stuff ovver the course of a month even.

Nor do i

1 virus in 5 years is my stats, and i deserved it.

Lets face it guys, getting the most virus' out of everyone is the only WR some people will get!

I've been using McAfee for a while now, works fine. No virus' or anything.