KRC Format Guide

I will go into some depth on the steps for formatting a pc in this section. I will try to cover as much as possible in detail. If you have any questions or find that I made some kind of mistake in this guide, please feel free to email me.

You don't have to format lots of times and you shouldn't have to. You should only format if your Operating System is giving you problems or if you just want to reinstall an older version. But before I go into the details on how to format, please make sure that you back up any critical/important data that you have before doing so. You don't need to back up any applications/programs that you have on CD or diskettes already. Just reinstall them later. Also make sure that you have a full version Windows CD. An upgrade will not work if you do it from a format. Now on to formatting.

1. After you backed up all your data, you will need to create a startup disk or boot disk. To do this, you will need one blank floppy disk (1.44MB). Go to Start->Settings->Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs->Startup Disk Tab->Click Create Disk... Let it copy the files to your floppy. If you can't locate this (maybe due to different Windows Operating System - but they should be located somewhere similar), go to Bootdisk to get it. Make sure to get the one with your Operating System (e.g.: Windows 98).

2. Now it's time to format. Go to Start->Run and type in command. If there's an error type in cmd instead. You are now in the DOS prompt. All you need to do is type in format c:, assuming that the C: drive is where you have the Windows Operating System. It will ask you if you are sure you want to format. Choose or type y (yes). It should now tell you that it will boot into MS-DOS mode. Let it restart. It should now format. This will take a while.

a) There are also some parameters that can be used with the command format. For a quick format type in format c: /q. You may also use format c: /s to format the C: drive and copy the system files. If I'm correct, this way you won't need to copy the system files from the bootdisk. Although, I think you will still need the bootdisk to load the generic cd-rom drivers. You may also use both parameters if desired. To see other parameters used for the command format type in format /? in the DOS prompt and it'll show you a list of parameters associated with format.

3. After the formatting is done, you will need to reboot. To reboot press ctrl+alt+del. It will restart. You will then need to go into the BIOS (refer to manual on how to). Look for the boot sequence. You will need to change the boot sequence to boot the floppy drive first. DO NOT change anything else. Doing so might render your pc useless. Save the changes and exit. Put in the boot disk (startup disk) that you created earlier. It will boot the floppy. Choose the option with CD-ROM support. Let it load. After that's finish, reboot again (ctrl+alt+del) and take out the floppy disk.

4. Now go into the BIOS again and change the boot sequence to the CD-ROM. Save the changes and exit. Put in the Windows CD. Now install. If it doesn't run automatically, type in install or setup. That should start the installation. Just follow the instructions and go along with the install. You should be set in half an hour or so.

5. You should know what to do after the install. It'll first prompt you for your name and then a password. When you're logged in, you should install any necessary drivers (for video card, sound card, cd drives, etc.). These drivers should be in a CD or floppy that came with the pc components. If you have a restore CD, it might be located in there. To check to see if all your pc components are working, right click on My Computer->Properties->Device Manager. See if there's any items that have a yellow mark, exclamation mark or even a red mark. If not, you're all done there. Now install any programs you want or had before. Also copy any files that you have backed up before the format.

It is a bit scary to do this the first time. Hopefully you had no problems going through this process.