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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Clean Install of Windows

A clean install of the OS is often the only way to get your system back on the right track or started on the right foot. The following is a simple guide on how to save your important stuff, get the job done right and make the transition as painless as possible.

A clean install of the Operating System is indicated when:

A New Motherboard is Installed

Upgrading Operating Systems (Avoids a lot of headaches later)

Irreparable Registry or System file corruptions exist in the existing Windows installation

HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) installed incorrectly (Win2000 & XP only)

Back-up Your Data

Before doing a clean install of Windows you will need to back-up your data files.

Backup your Email and Outlook Express Accounts

Outlook Express Data How To

Save your Documents

Create a new folder on the removable media of your choice i.e. Backup Documents

Left Click My Documents

Click Edit

Click Select All

Click Copy

Paste to the new backup folder that you created

Save your Internet Favorites

Open My Computer

Win 9x - Click on Windows folder of the bootable hard drive

Win XP & 2K - Click on My Documents

Right Click and Copy the Favorites Folder

Paste to the new backup folder that you created

Disconnect ALL peripheral devices except keyboard and mouse

Note: Don't forget to save information, pictures, scanned documents or other files like patches and updates that are stored in other locations.

Wipe the Hard Drive

Identify your hard drive make and model

Download the Wipe or Zero Utility from the Hard Drive Manufacturers Web Site. Wiping or Zeroing the drive will return it to factory fresh condition.

IBM

Western Digital

Seagate

Maxtor

Quantum

Fujitsu

When complete you will need to partition and format the hard drive. If you are going to use a single partition Windows will format and partition the hard drive during the OS installation process.

Multiple partitions can be made by using the manufacturers hard disk utilities or DOS.

Updating the BIOS

Updating the BIOS to the latest version is always a good idea when you are having system problems.

BIOS Agent - Free Software Reports Your BIOS Configuration from Windows

Go to your manufacturers web site. Some of the majors are listed below:

Abit

AOpen

Asus

BioStar USA

BTC (Behavior Tech)

ChainTech

Diamond

DFI

Epox

FIC

Gigabyte

Intel Corporation

JetWay

Lucky Star

MicroStar

PC Chips

Shuttle

Soyo

Tyan

Additional Motherboard Links

Download and install the latest officially released version of the BIOS that was specifically written for your motherboard. Follow the manufacturers installation instructions carefully.

Further BIOS assistance can be found here:

Wim's BIOS Page

BadFlash

BIOS Agent - Free Software Reports Your BIOS Details and Configuration

CTBIOS - Small DOS program that identifies the BIOS and motherboard - Program is in German but, you'll get the idea.



Make a BOOT Disk with CDROM Support

Download the boot disk image and click on the program file to extract to a floppy

Download Floppy Image

Removing ACPI

Reinstall Windows by starting the system using the boot floppy with CDROM support.

From the A:\ prompt start Windows from the CDROM

D:\setup /p i (When D:\ is the drive letter of the CDROM)

If your hard drive is running from a High Point, Promise or ATA 66 or 100 controller, the drive will not be recognized at bootup and you will need to come back a letter.



Drivers

Windows Me is the last version of the Win98 Operating System. Many Win98SE peripheral drivers will work on systems running the Me operating system, some will not. If you are experiencing problems with a USB device that requires non-native drivers, check with the manufacturer for a WinMe version of the software and drivers

Follow the Help directions for your Operating System and make a boot disk. Just in case you need it.

Reinstalling the Operating System

In the BIOS set the Drive Boot order to CD Only

Shut down and reboot

Follow the on screen prompts to install Windows

Installing Windows With ACPI Disabled

(Helps to resolve some USB problems)

Win 9X and ME

Boot Using the Boot Up Floppy

From the Command Prompt Type (Drive Letter):/Setup /p i

Win XP and 2K

Boot from the CD

When Windows begins to Detect the Hardware Press the F5 Key and choose the Standard PC HAL

When the installation is complete and before Windows starts for the first time, reset the Boot Devices in the BIOS so that Windows can boot from the hard drive.

Clean Install Using a Windows Update Version

Install as if Full Version

When Windows Install Wizard asks for verification of a previous version, place the previous version CD in the CDROM and follow the on screen prompts*

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