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Category: Computers & Technology : Software
When formatting a drive (ie, erasing all the data and 'blanking' the drive) you need to put the software back onto the system.
Prior to formatting the drive however, you should make a system (bootable) disk.
In Windows 95/98/NT:
Double-click on the "My Computer" icon > Right-Click on A: icon > Left click on Format.
In the format dialog box, select "Copy System Files Only" and press ok. Make sure the floppy is blank of course.
This will copy the necessary files to the floppy disk that will 'boot' (startup) the computer.
When you have the boot disk created, be sure to boot from it PRIOR to formatting the hard drive. An ounce of caution here: If you are re-installing Windows 95/98/NT on the system (and most any other operating system for that matter) you will need to copy the CD-ROM drivers to the floppy. Without them you will be able to boot to that nice blank hard drive, but won't be able to access the CD-ROM. Definitely a 'GOTCHA!' situation.
Once you can boot from the floppy and you can access your CD-ROM drive, the next step is simply putting the Operating System CD into the CD-ROM drive. (I'll assume windows for simplicity, Linux, BeOS, OS/2 are a bit different and would require another article).
With the CD in, change to the CD-ROM drive (Usually D:, which you would type 'D:' (minus quotes) at the A: prompt). On the D: prompt, type SETUP and the Windows installation will start.*
*CAUTION: If you have little experience in formatting a hard drive (which erases ALL of the information on the drive, and is like a bad haircut, you can take it off, but putting it back on takes time) you may want to get some one-to-one advice or have someone there that can assist you with backing up your data files, making the boot floppy and restoring the drive.
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Rob B. |
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IT Specialist |
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