The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Reformatting my DV5030US

    Discussion in 'HP' started by bunker buster, Mar 31, 2008.

  1. bunker buster

    bunker buster Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    How does one reformat my laptop's HD?

    Tried the old way won't do
     
    bunker buster, Mar 31, 2008
    #1
  2. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    736
    Messages:
    2,762
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    What "old way" is that, from recovery?

    Your best bet is to just use an actual XP disc and reinstall from that......
     
    R4000, Mar 31, 2008
    #2
  3. bunker buster

    bunker buster Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    before when I have the win98 laptop I would just "format c:/s"

    Then re-install the windows disk and the other programs.
     
    bunker buster, Apr 1, 2008
    #3
  4. Envision

    Envision Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    146
    Messages:
    1,129
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    What OS are you trying to install? Because XP and Vista both offer the option of partitioning and formatting your HDDs before the installation starts. If you are planning on simply using the Recovery Disks to restore your laptop, then you just have to choose the option to reformat and reinstall. It all depends on what method you are planning on using.
     
    Envision, Apr 1, 2008
    #4
  5. bunker buster

    bunker buster Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    For Windows XP

    What I want to happen is "Start out Fresh" removing all the unnecessary files and stuff that slows my computer. Then re-install all the programs that comes w/my laptop.

    Whenever I tried to "reformat" it the computer won't allow me it will just do the re-installation of XP.(using the restore CDs)

    Thanks for the reply
     
    bunker buster, Apr 1, 2008
    #5
  6. Envision

    Envision Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    146
    Messages:
    1,129
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    If you are planning on doing a clean install of XP, which you should be doing, you can't do that with the restore disks that came (or you had to burn) with your laptop. My advice to you is to get your hands on a XP Home or Pro CD, whichever came with the laptop, and do a reinstall. Once you have XP installed then you can go ahead and start installing the drivers and software that you want to.

    You can't really do a clean install with the restore disks, they basically just restore your computer to the default factory settings (how you received the computer when you first got it). Whenever I've done a restore with HP's recovery disks it reformats the drive and then reinstalls everything, but that includes the bloatware.
     
    Envision, Apr 2, 2008
    #6
  7. bunker buster

    bunker buster Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks for the info. Well I tried to restore my HP w/the restore disk it encounters an error on the CD. I called HP CS they told me I have to pay $50 for the two disk(so much for their customer service). Is there a website where I can download the restore disk or some cheaper way?

    BTW this is the first time I took out the restore disk from its jacket.
     
    bunker buster, Apr 2, 2008
    #7