I need help on doing a clean install. My computer did not come with a disk that removes and then adds everything. I need to know how to do a clean install. I know how to add all my things back on.....I just don't know what to type in to remove everything. Thanks

Assuming you have an ME cd with product key,
& a startup disk...........

How to perform a clean install of Windows

Hi,SusanG.
Before you wipe your hard drive clean (format) be sure you do have a FULL WINDOWS MILLENNIUM disc AND VALID SERIAL NUMBER (product key).

Many PC sellers do not give a full operating system disc. They supply a sort of reinstall disc.....
http://www.computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/21386.html
Response Number 11

You should also install & run BELARC ADVISOR.....

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

This will tell you what hardware you have in your PC which will help enormously when you are looking to install the drivers that Windows ME does not have (e.g. modem drivers). Without your modem drivers you will not be able to go on the Internet to download them (catch 22).

from my experience, u must have a restore disc?(re-bootable disc?) save all yr pics and files to disc if u have a re-writer, if not save to floppy. make sure u have the disc to re-install yr modem(mine is from ntl) if u forget the pass words cerial numbers u can call them. just put in the re-boot disc and follow instructions.its just usually a yes or no answer! then after its re-booted all you have to do is re-install the modem to get u back on the net!

Hi,

a Clean Install (as opposed to a Re-Install) involves deleting all data from your hard-drive.......formating.

1. Back up files you want to keep, either burn them onto a blank CD or if small enough onto 1.44 floppies.

2. As Michael mentioned above, if you have the FULL Version of WinME (NOT an Upgrade) and its corresponding Product KEY (a 25 alpha/numeric code on the back of the CD case) and a WinME Start Up Floppy Disc, you are ready to go.......

3. If you don't have a WinME Start Up Floppy Disc, then you create one -----> goto Start/Settings/Control Panel/Add Remove Programs. Click on the right hand Tab "StartUp Disc". Click "Create Disc". Wack a blank 1.44 Floppy in floppy drive, and click "OK". Takes a few minutes. Done. Mark that floppy "WinMe Start Up Disc".

4. ok. You have backed up your files, got a LEGAL copy of (OEM) WinME Full Version Operating System CD with its unique Product Key, a WinME Start Up Disc. You are ready to format.........

(if you haven't got a LEGAL FULL version of WinME (OEM), go out and buy it)

5. Putt the WinME Start Up Floppy Disc in floppy drive, restart PC. The PC as its booting up will read the floppy disc. Somewhere down the track, you will end up with A:\ prompt on a black screen. This is where you push the "death button" ------> Format. At A:\ you type FORMAT C:

the command will look like this after you finish typing -----> A:\FORMAT C:

NOTE: there is a SPACE between FORMAT and C.

Hit ENTER on yer keyboard.

you will be asked if you want to proceed. Hit "Y" on yer keyboard. "Y" means Yes.

that's it, too late now......all data is being wiped from your PC. It'll take about 10 minutes to finish.

6. When formating is done, you will end up with A:\ on a black screen. Type in E: then hit ENTER on keyboard. So the command after typing will look like A:\E:

what you doing here with that previous command is changing to your CD ROM Drive. I know, it used to be D, but now its E (temporarily).

7. Insert your LEGAL Copy of WinME Operating System into the CDRom Drive. It will wind up. At your E:\ prompt, type Setup. So the command will look like this E:\Setup

Hit ENTER on your keyboard.

8. a fresh install of WinME is now uderway. Have your unique WinME Product Key code ready to type in. After WinME is finished intalling (takes about 45 minutes) you CDRom Drive will automatically revert back to drve D

All of this formating/installing WinME fresh, is NOT for the faint hearted or the "first timer". So get someone with you who knows what to do when you are are ready togo.

having done hundreds of formats/full installs over the last 8 years Susan, believe me, its now a PIA !! lol. I try to avoid formatting/reinstalling.

(as you can see, (lol) i had nutten to do for the past 30 minutes)

good luck

rob

er, take 2......

p.s. in procedure 5. above, after you wack the WinME Start Up disc in floppy drive and select Restart Computer (or just hit Reset button on the PC Box front panel), during bootup POST and as the PC reads the Start Up Floppy, a screen will be displayed giving you 3 Options ------> 1. "Help" 2. "start PC With CDRom Support" 3. "Start PC Without CDRom Support".

Choose 1. "Help" After a short time, a help screen is displayed. Exit outa that by hitting ALT on yer keyboard. This highlights "FILE" Tab on the top of the Help File. Use Up/Down Arrows on yer keyboard to scroll down to EXIT. Hit ENTER on your keyboard.

that screen disapears, and you will then have A:\ on yer screen after a few seconds.

go back to procedure 5. above and continue

I'm in a panick here. I want to do a Hard Disc Restore.. is that the same as a clean install? I don't know much about PC's, I just kinda learn as I go. Anyways, I am having lots of different problems with my pc. The last time this happened I called the number associated with my warranty.I was told that the Compaq recovery CD was not what I needed. He gave me a number to order the cd's I needed. I now have 2 Compaq Quick Restore discs (#1 & 2) Next call, A very nice representative told me that a recovery cd dosen't really clean everything off the way it should. He walked me through something using the windows Startup disk that he said would clean everything off, and then had me run QuickRestore discs 1 and 2.
I think he he had me clean everything off -clean install, but after reading all these posts and the links to doing the clean install, how could this be what he had me do if I don't have a store bought Windows with a product key?
I had decided to do the full hard disc restore and then upgrade to XP so I went out and bought the upgrade version of XP tonight, but this will not work with a clean install because it is not a full version correct? I'm not sure what to do. I'm not a patient person and I'm afraid that in an effort to get everything to work (especially my new burner-really excited) I will do something that will mess everything up. Also I have opened the Upgrade version of XP, I assume I cannot exchange for a Full version and am stuck with the Upgrade version. I apologize for typing a book in here, but I really need some help. I would love if someone would help me by posting, or even through email or phone. Thanks so much, This site has helped me many times. As much time as I spend on this pc, you'd think I'd know more about it. Taragirl