How do I reformat my laptop?

[KevytheGreat]

I just bought a Sony Vaio laptop and I want everything off of it that I don't need so I can start completely fresh. I don't have a Windows XP CD that is up to date so I can't reformat from there. Is there another way to reformat without reinstalling windows?

 

[tlarkin]

what do you plan on installing on it? Linux?

The sony laptop should have come with a set of restore disks which will reimage (reformat) your computer with factory default software.

Or

You can download a free utility like killdrive.exe and just wipe out your drive that way. However, formatting it will destroy all data and you will have to reinstall your operating system.

 

[Bobo]

There is no way to format without reinstalling windows.

 

[tlarkin]

You can format the drive with out reinstalling an OS, you just lose everything like I stated above.

 

[sharkm87]

and that would make no sense..what do you want on there dos?

 

[KevytheGreat]

what do you plan on installing on it? Linux?

The sony laptop should have come with a set of restore disks which will reimage (reformat) your computer with factory default software.

Or

You can download a free utility like killdrive.exe and just wipe out your drive that way. However, formatting it will destroy all data and you will have to reinstall your operating system.

I would have thought that the laptop would come with CDs but there were none. No Windows XP cds or even an owners manual. Apparently I have to download the owner's manual.

There was a bunch of programs that were already on the laptop and I just want to get rid of everything I absolutely do not need. Maybe I can find someone who owns the same Windows XP as me and use theirs to reinstall?

 

[computerhakk]

You could just manually go in and delete everything you don't need. With no XP disc in sight, you really are stuck with no other option than to buy a new disc if you want a fresh XP OS. So, if you want, manually go through:

Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs
- delete/uninstall any softwares you don't need or use
My Documents
- go through and delete all files/pics/etc. that you don't need
START>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Cleanup
- let it remove all junk and files that has accumulated if you never done this before.

Also, go into any other folder you have stuff you don't need and delete them. To go beyond all this, you should defrag your pc afterwards (same place as Disk Cleanup, but called Disk Defragmenter). A registry cleanup should help you out nice too since there will be many invalid paths after all those deleting and uninstalling.

 

[tlarkin]

I would have thought that the laptop would come with CDs but there were none. No Windows XP cds or even an owners manual. Apparently I have to download the owner's manual.

There was a bunch of programs that were already on the laptop and I just want to get rid of everything I absolutely do not need. Maybe I can find someone who owns the same Windows XP as me and use theirs to reinstall?

See if there is a recovery partition on the HD itself. Does it say hit F10 during the boot process to enter recovery or something similar?

 

[tlarkin]

and that would make no sense..what do you want on there dos?

a hard drive does not require an OS to be useful. I can be used for data, apps, RAID, etc

Some people may take that statement as you have to have an OS on any drive you install, it is just a point I was making.