Has your computer recently been attacked by a virus that you can’t seem to get rid of? The only solution might be to reformat your laptop. This will completely erase the hard drive and is the most effective way to clean your computer.

Anyone can reformat their own laptop easily. Before you begin the process of reformatting your computer, you need to backup all of your information on an external hard drive or CDs and external hard drive or you will lose them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Installation CDs
• Restore Partition

1. Installation CDs

If you have become frustrated with the performance of your laptop because of too many installed programs, an overgrown system registry or malicious software, you need to reformat your laptop. First, you need to confirm that you have all of the software needed to restore your computer, and then use your recovery disc or Windows installation disc to format the hard drive.

1. Backup your hard drive

Reformatting your laptop will cause you to lose all of your information so it is recommended that you backup your hard drive on an external hard drive, CDs, or DVDs if you wish to keep it.

2. Method of restoration

This is provided by the manufacturer. If you received a set of installation CDs with your machine, then use this. If you did not, your computer may have a restore partition set up. This means you will need to employ a different method.

3. Insert the operating system disk into your CD/DVD drive

Once you insert the CD, it will normally auto-run. Select the option for installing a fresh copy of the operating system.

If the CD doesn’t run by itself, double-click on “My Computer,” and then locate to the drive, then click auto-run.

4. Wait for the CD to load

Follow the prompts, be patient and avoid the temptation to intervene. This process may take a few minutes. If you intervene, it may cause disruption in the process.

Accept the default offerings or settings that the installation disc is asking for.

5. Wait for the installation to complete

When the operating system installation is complete, a completely fresh desktop will appear.

2. Restore Partition

You can also use your restoration partition if you don’t have the disks. This is easy and will take you only 30 minutes.

5. Restart your computer

After restarting your computer, wait until the machine reboots. While it’s rebooting, press F10 repeatedly. It will take you to the partition with restore or repair options.

6. Installing a fresh system

The restore partition will completely run the program to format, reload the OS, install drivers and install all of the original software that came with your laptop.

7. Wait for the reformat to complete

It will only take you 30 minutes to complete the re-formatting process.

8. Things You Must Do Before Reformatting Your Laptop

Follow the steps laid out in our list first to make reformatting your hard drive as easy and safe as possible!

• Save your movies, music, and documents
• Create a copy of your drivers.
• Get a list of the software installed on your laptop
• Make a copy of your browser settings
• Back up your mail client
• Save your downloads in progress
• Double check you still have your original installation disks
• Ensure you have all the serial keys you’ll need

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