A little prep work needs to be done before you format the hard drive.
Here is a list:
1.  Make sure you have the WIN95 installation CD's/disks (the full version,
not an upgrade version).
2.  Save any data files you want to keep.
3.  Gather together all of the driver disks for things like video cards,
monitors, modems and sound cards.
4.  Make a start up disk for WIN95.  Go into help and type in startup disk
for directions on making this disk.  Use Windows Explorer to check the
contents of the diskette.
5. You need to verify that the FDISK and FORMAT utilities are
on this startup disk.  You can do a find in Windows Explorer, Right click
the file name and select Send To  .... 3 1/2" Floppy.
5. Put the startup disk in the floppy drive and restart the computer.  (if
the system
fails to boot from the floppy - you should hear the drive and see its light
light up, then
you will need to change the drive boot order in BIOS SETUP.  Ask how on
another
email, if this is the case).
6. When the system boots you want to select the option for going to the DOS
prompt.
7.  At the dos A: prompt, type   fdisk  and press enter.
8.  FDISK asks you if you want to partition the whole drive.  Say yes.
Next you will need to make the C: partition the active partition.  FDISK
uses
the Esc key to move back to the last screen and the enter key to process you
requests.
9. Now you need to format the drive to make it ready to accept the WIN95
operating system.
At the A: prompt, type  FORMAT C:  and press return (there is a space btw.
format and c:)
10. You are now ready to do a fresh install of the operating system.  Remove
the floppy from
the floppy drive.  Insert your WIN95 installation cd in the cd rom drive (or
the installation in the
floppy drive) and restart the computer.  Follow the set up procedure that
comes up.

This is a lot of work for a novice.  If all this seems a bit much, you might
just hand the relatives
the PC and wish them well.  Just a thought.

Jerry Nickerson



----- Original Message -----
From: "Lamplight Hill" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 9:25 AM
Subject: [PCBUILD] reformat for a novice


I'd like to reformat my old computer to clean it out for a relative.  It
had windows 95 which I will reinstall.  What procedure and commands do
you recommend I use, and what do I need to have ready to get it running
again?  This is new to me, so please assume I don't know anything, when you
explain!

Thanks,
Karen Smith
www.LamplightHill.com
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