Wednesday, February 13, 2008

These are the steps to backing up files and then formatting your computer.

Here is what you need:

• USB Memory Stick to save files.  Here is a picture. 

• Computer CDs

  • A CD that says something like Drivers and Utilities

  • A CD that says "Microsoft Windows XP"

  • A CD for your printer or scanner.

  • A CD for your DSL service.

• A friend to help when you get stuck.

• Write down all your passwords and usernames

Backup up files

1. Place the memory stick in the USB slot.

2. It will take about a minute for the computer to start using the memory stick.

3. When it is ready you will be able to place files on the memory stick.

4. Drag files onto your memory stick window.

Here is an alternative method to backing up files if it doesn't work as easy as steps 1 through 4.

1. Place the memory stick in your computer.

2. It will still take about a minute for your computer to learn how to use the memory stick.

3. Click Start.

4. Click My Computer. 

5. Find your memory stick in the pictures that show up.  Your memory stick will not have the same name as mine.

6. In this example the memory stick is called UDISK 2.0 (E:)

7. Double click the memory stick.

8. This will bring up a window that looks like this. 

9. Go back to the Start button and click My Documents. 

10. Now you should have 2 windows set up. 

11. Click and hold down the mouse button.  Drag your files over to the memory stick.  When you drag it over and your mouse is on top of the memory stick let go of the mouse button.

Reformatting

1. Place the Windows XP CD in the computer.

2. Click Start.

3. Click Restart.

4. Watch the screen.  It will say "Press any key to boot from CD."

5. When it says Press any key... you have about 5 seconds to boot from CD.

6. Press Enter to "set up Windows XP."

7. Press F8 to agree with license.

8. Press D to delete the selected partition.

9. Press the D Key to delete the partition.

10. Press the Enter Key to Install.

11. Press Enter to Format the partition using the NTFS file system.  (you can do a quick format or a long format)

As it begins formatting and then copying files, this process should take 10 to 20 minutes.

The computer will then restart.  You will be shown how much time is remaining.

1. Click Next on the Regional and Language Options

2. Type in a name for the computer.  Any name will do.

3. Click Next.

4. Now the computer will name itself.

5. Click Next.

6. Set the modem information if needed.

7. Set the date and time information.

8. Click Next.

Wait for a couple of minutes and now...

1. Set your typical settings.

2. Click Next.

You should be ready to have your computer running again.