How to Format my HP Laptop?

Hello everyone, first of all I apologize if i am posting in the incorrect Section but i don't where to go to

Ok.. here's my problem

Today i was using my HP Pavilion dv5 Laptop(Windows-Vista H.P 32-bit) at my Uni, when all of a sudden my Applications started to freeze one-by-one.. i thought it was a mere Program error that was causing it so i started Windows Task manager, and then suddenly it Froze too! next thing.. my mouse also! everything just stopped functioning

i forced Shutdown it and then turned it on again.. then.. after a minute again my apps started to freeze again.. one-by-one.. tried it again.. same result

i tried Safe-mode.. and it worked perfectly.. but i can't figure out the cause of the constant freeze..

nothing like this ever happened before since i purchased my Laptop a year ago...

so i am deciding to Format my Laptop.. but i don't know how. Can someone explain how to Format my laptop please, i heard that there is some kind of memory in the laptop that has the Drivers and everything so i'm kinda guessing i won't need a CD or anything(..right?)

any Help will be greatly Appreciated

 

I see that you are going to school. Are you aware that if you reformat your computer you will lose all data on it? If you are going to reformat, make sure you retireve all of your data before you go any further.

 

Like yay said, first back up all your data.. after you are sure that all important files are secured, restart your computer and press f11 when the HP logo screen comes up. After that it will be straight forward just follow the steps and options that will come up so you can format the computer.

 

Before you format, are you making sure that your computer has proper ventalation? I know that system crashes can be caused by the computer overheating. Clean out your fan(s) and vent(s) and ensure that your computer is receiving proper airflow. If the system still acts up, then proceed with the format.

God, I feel so dirty now for saying system crash. *begins to scrub furiously*

 

Have you loaded any new programs lately? If it works well in Safe Mode then you probably got an aberrant program running in the background causing the erratic freezing. Clean install by using the Recovery disc.

 

Thank you For the replies

No worries, i have already backed up all my files on my Backup Computer

but i still have a question, will i need any discs to complete the format or are all the main Recovery files(Drivers, progs etc...) on the Laptop?(A.K.A Recovery Drive)

Yes i've doubled checked the Vents and everything seems to be working fine, i have even checked my Cooling pad just in case

No, i haven't installed any new Programs of any sort before this incident occurred =(

 

As long as the recovery partition still exists you won't need any additional discs. Just hit F11 during boot as mentioned to return your notebook back to the same operating condition as when you took it out of the box.

Any programs that did not originally come on your notebook you will have to reinstall from their install discs.

Assuming your restore works as it should I highly recommend you create the HP restore discs as suggested in case your recovery partition ever gets damaged. You will need two or three DVD+R (recommended) discs to perform the task.

 

ok Thanks for the advise

i Shall try the format soon now

thx everyone for the help! =)

 

EDIT: nvm.. figured it out..

 

Tell us what the problem was, so we'll all know. (And by the way, before I would advise anyone to reformat, I'd sure want to try a System Restore first!)