[sthomp]

Hello,

I am new here and kind of a novice when it comes to the technical things with computers. Our PC is a few years old now and we have been having a few problems with it including adware/spyware invasions and it freezing a lot to mention a few. It is a philips. What brand i am unsure but i did get a number off the back of the tower if it helps Y6Q3-PV05

I have backed up all my files onto an external hard drive and now i want to wipe my computer like it was when i first bought it from the store. I have no clue how to do this. I have tried searching it on the net and have tried hitting a few keys when it reboots and also tried to format c:/ but i am just getting an error that states c:/ is being accessed by something and can not be formatted at this time. Even though C:/ isn't open to anything besided the format window

If anyone can help me out it would be greatly appreciated.

I do not have any recovery discs or a manual. I have misplaced all the computer books. This computer is about 5 years old.

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Is this computer is in Australia? I doubt that you can buy a recovery CD for this computer so your only choice is to find someone that has a retail Windows XP CD and use it to do a clean install of the operating system. You could buy a windows XP CD but it would cost you about $80-90. So find a friend that has one that you can use.

Before you install windows , or even before you wipe the drive for a reinstall go to your device manager and write down on paper every device and driver "model and version" numbers you can find. this will help you find the correct drivers for your computer. Be very exacting here so you don't have problems with drivers later.

You will need to find your key which may be on the outside of the computer on a small sticker somewhere. Here's what the sticker should look like.

http://www.technibbl...e-key-you-have/

If you do not have a sticker you will need to delve into the computer to find it. Use the magic jelly bean keyfinder software for this.

http://download.cnet...4-10079600.html

Once you have your key( write it down on paper, along with the name of the computer)then you can use a Aussie XP CD to reinstall windows. You need to read this thoroughly to understand the process you need to go thru. It's not that hard but you need to do it correctly for best results.

http://michaelsteven...nxpinstall.html

After you do the install you will need to find the drivers for your hardware. Be specific on version numbers and model numbers to find the correct drivers. Most likely you have the 945 chipset Intel motherboard so download all the drivers you can find at the intel website for your motherboard first and install them. Onyour motherboard there is printed the model numbers to find the correct drivers. If you do not understand ask questions so we can answer them. There are no stupid questions, OK? So ask if you don't understand.

SRX660

Edited by SRX660, 26 March 2010 - 05:00 AM.

[SRX660]

Is this computer is in Australia? I doubt that you can buy a recovery CD for this computer so your only choice is to find someone that has a retail Windows XP CD and use it to do a clean install of the operating system. You could buy a windows XP CD but it would cost you about $80-90. So find a friend that has one that you can use.

Before you install windows , or even before you wipe the drive for a reinstall go to your device manager and write down on paper every device and driver "model and version" numbers you can find. this will help you find the correct drivers for your computer. Be very exacting here so you don't have problems with drivers later.

You will need to find your key which may be on the outside of the computer on a small sticker somewhere. Here's what the sticker should look like.

http://www.technibbl...e-key-you-have/

If you do not have a sticker you will need to delve into the computer to find it. Use the magic jelly bean keyfinder software for this.

http://download.cnet...4-10079600.html

Once you have your key( write it down on paper, along with the name of the computer)then you can use a Aussie XP CD to reinstall windows. You need to read this thoroughly to understand the process you need to go thru. It's not that hard but you need to do it correctly for best results.

http://michaelsteven...nxpinstall.html

After you do the install you will need to find the drivers for your hardware. Be specific on version numbers and model numbers to find the correct drivers. Most likely you have the 945 chipset Intel motherboard so download all the drivers you can find at the intel website for your motherboard first and install them. Onyour motherboard there is printed the model numbers to find the correct drivers. If you do not understand ask questions so we can answer them. There are no stupid questions, OK? So ask if you don't understand.

SRX660

Edited by SRX660, 26 March 2010 - 05:00 AM.

[sthomp]

Thanks SRX660,

I will give it a go. you were right to think that the computer is in Australia. I will give what you said a try and let you know how i go.

Cheers
Sarah

[123Runner]

As a added bit of help regarding the device drivers, board model, and pretty much any thing in the computer you can run and save a Everest report.

Everest is in my signature below.

Download and install Free Everest Home Edition
Open it.
Click on the Report Icon
It will open up a wizard. Click Next
In Report Profiles put a check in All pages. Click on next
In Report Format make sure it is checked as plain text. Click on Finish
A report will be generated. wait for it to finish.
Click on Save to File and save to a location where you can find it. And then move it off the computer to a USB stick or another computer where you will have it for re-install.