Wiping & reinstalling procedures

vits5vits5
edited June 2008 in Science & Tech
I'm currently working with someone under the spyware/malware section. If however, I had to wipe the system clean and reinstall the OS (XP - service pack 2 - home edition) -- where, how, and what would I do? Is there a site within these forums or some other trustworthy site with step by step info on setting PC's back up? By the way, the owner that I'm trying to help NEVER made the CD's for backup purposes when the PC was first setup.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and hopefully you'll be able to respond as well. Have a good day!

Comments

  • Your-Amish-DaddyYour-Amish-Daddy The heart of Texas
    edited May 2008
    It's pretty simple.
    1: Get OS, and boot computer with cd.
    2: Follow the directions in the installer.
    3: ?????
    4: Profit!

    And yes. I am being a dick, but it is that simple. Drivers are easy as well. Just open the case up and write down model numbers and stuff, you'll be good to go with a google search.
  • vits5vits5
    edited May 2008
    Never have done a reinstall before. Assuming the OS cd can be found (I'm trying to fix a relative's PC), are the directions for your step #3 going to be easily understood by a novice, or will I have to know definitions such as FAT or NTFS, etc. because I don't. That's why I was looking for a step by step, possibly with visuals on this site.

    I do appreciate your time - thanks!
  • QCHQCH Ancient Guru Chicago Area - USA Icrontian
    edited May 2008
    Welcome, vits5... One of our staff writers did a GREAT article on how to install Windows from scratch... Take look at it.

    Feel free to post questions... ;)
  • vits5vits5
    edited June 2008
    Thanks for your time and assistance. Much appreciated! Another question....when I boot up, there are three users listed. I choose and it loads the settings for that user. How do I get the PC to boot directly to the desktop with the user of my choice without having to choose a user? Hope you understand the way I worded this. Sorry if its confusing. Thanks!
  • drasnordrasnor Starship Operator Hawthorne, CA Icrontian
    edited June 2008
    Download TweakUI from the Microsoft Windows XP Powertoys download page, install it, and go to the Logon task. It will allow you to configure a user to be automatically logged in.

    -drasnor :fold:
  • Your-Amish-DaddyYour-Amish-Daddy The heart of Texas
    edited June 2008
    Or you can just set the user you plan to use as default in the user manager....It'll log you in as that one every time until it's told different...
  • drasnordrasnor Starship Operator Hawthorne, CA Icrontian
    edited June 2008
    Your Amish Daddy wrote:
    Or you can just set the user you plan to use as default in the user manager....It'll log you in as that one every time until it's told different...
    Post a walkthrough please, I can't find this feature in either the User Accounts control panel or the Local Users and Groups management snap-in.

    -drasnor :fold:
  • Your-Amish-DaddyYour-Amish-Daddy The heart of Texas
    edited June 2008
    You know what? I can't find it either...But I know it was something I did in the user manager...Dammit. When I remember, I'll post it. Because on every computer I own, I've got that set up to where it logs in the only account on them..Maybe that's it?
  • CBCB Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Der Millionendorf- Icrontian
    edited June 2008
    Yeah. That only works if there is only one account on the system, and even then I've only ever gotten it to work if there only has ever been one login on that install. If I ever add another login, I can never get it to auto-login again, even if I delete the new account. TweakUI is my solution, as well.
  • Your-Amish-DaddyYour-Amish-Daddy The heart of Texas
    edited June 2008
    Yeah. I guess that's it. Sorry to be useless again.
  • vits5vits5
    edited June 2008
    Regarding using TweakUI.......

    the site says you need Service Pack 1 to use it. Please excuse my ignorance, but if I have SP 2, is SP1 included in SP2, or do I literally need SP1?

    Thanks!
  • QCHQCH Ancient Guru Chicago Area - USA Icrontian
    edited June 2008
    Minimum of SP1... should still work on SP2 and SP3. The best way is to type "control userpasswords2" into "Run". That brings up the user account manager... uncheck the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer." it will ask for a user name and password. That account will automatically login when the system is booted.
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