How to reformat?

[MaChu]

My computer is lagging bad when running some serious programs(Video editing software, some games, etc), Ive done everything I can, from disabling useless services, defragging, deleting useless programs,etc. I think I need to reformat, but I don't know how. I know I need some boot up disks and XP Home or Pro. Any sites/links that can help me through it would be appreciated thanks. Oh if you think its hardware related I doubt it.Here's the basic specs:

P4 1.7 GHz
512 RAM(yeah I know I need DDR, but at the time it will just have to suffice)
Gforce2 MX400(yeah I need a new video card too)
80 gig HD

[Auzzy]

To reformat restart your computer in DOS and type "format c:" I believe. Its been a while since Ive done it but im pretty sure thats the command. It will tell you that proceeding will result in lose of all information on the computer and ask if you want to coninue. You will need a boot disk and the cd for the OS you wish to install. Like I said its been a while since ive done it so maybe wait for someone else to reply and let you know if I left anything out.

[CasingBill]

If you have your xp disk just boot from the disk and do a clean install. YOu will lose everything unless you have it saved on another partition or on some disks. With and 80gb hd you should defintaley have a couple of partitions. A clean install is best. Also you can only use DDR on a board that supports DDR. Good luck.

[irbodden]

Just slap in your Windows c/d and follow the easy step by step instructions.

[MaChu]

yeah im planning on getting a new motherboard that supports ddr, just so many to chose from i dont know which one to get my friend has a few good suggestions, but i would like to hear your opinion of some.

[CasingBill]

Asus is pretty good. So is gigabyte. I've had good luck with them both. Some Gigabytes even come with overclocking software.

[devildog]

if you are going to get a new motherboard, get either an ASUS or an ABIT. those are the best a manufacturers right there (i am an abit man myself)

to format, you can just put in the xp disk like stated, or if you want to do it the hard way,

1 first get a floppy disk and throw it in there.

2 click start -> setting -> control panel

3 new window will pop up, doubclick on add/remove programs.

4 new window will com up, on the tabs on the top, select startup disk (or something like that, the one all the way to the right)

5 there should be a button there that says start, or something, only one button so click it, and it will make you a startup disk

6 Now, put the disk in the floppy drive (if you took it out for some reason) and restart the computer

7 it will boot from the floppy and ask you if you want cdrom support select yes

8 eventually after loading, it will get to a screen that says "a:> ", and youll be able to type

9 type- "format c: /q" (make sure you use / not \ and there is a space after the colon)

10 it will ask if you are sure, hit the Y key and it will format the drive

11 type- "e: " and hit enter

this will change the a:> to e:>
(this is assuming you have 1 harddrive installed)

12 type- "setup /is /im /ie /iv /ir" and youre done, setup for windows will begin

(step 12 is assuming you have the windows disk in the drive)

NOTE: the above steps work for windows 95/98/me NOT XP!!!

if windows xp, just put in the xp cd and restart the computer and follow the onscreen directions, youll have the option to install or repair, select install, then it will ask for a partition, just select format current partition and install xp on FAT32 (youll see it there)