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Great Dell format guide! - Page 4

post #61 of 71
8/29/06 at 11:41am
if you do not want to keep cd/dvd's hangin around "just in case" then check out my sig for using the CTRL+F11 to kick of a custom ghost image useing System Restore...

I still suggest you archive some DVD copies though in case your HDD takes a HARD DUMP.
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post #62 of 71
8/30/06 at 10:55am
I am finalizing a procedure guide for using the 4 partition hdd.

Keeping the DELL MEDIA DIRECT
Windows Partition
Data Partition
Dell SystemRestore Partition - contents include new custom ghost image.

should be done today, and updated the thread listed in my sig...
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post #63 of 71
8/30/06 at 10:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by somms
Just updated the .pdf and maybe that was the problem. Converted from Visio into .pdf via Adobe 7.0

No more floppies required!!!

Now allows a bootable CD to create the DVD image backup. The guide is much more simpilier now!
bandwidth is exceeeded. please get it working im very interested.
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post #64 of 71
9/29/06 at 10:09pm
Quick format sets the entire disk as writeable just as is done when you delete a file. Normal format flips all bits in the hard drive to 0 meaning there can be no lingering data to recover later on. This is the more appropriate method of reformating if your trying to recover from a virus.
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post #65 of 71
12/15/06 at 2:40pm
So can you use a standard XP Pro disc on these DELL laptops or do you have to use the DELL XP disc (with loads of crap on it). Because I read a thread a while back, when someone tried to reformat a DELL laptop using a XP Pro disc, but it failed to read the disc.

I think it had something to do with deleting the DELL restore partition? But I dunno what that has got to do with it.

So what I ask is, can you treat a DELL laptop, almost like any other PC with the XP discs and have a safe reformat?

Thanks.
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post #66 of 71
12/15/06 at 9:02pm
Can anyone help me out?
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post #67 of 71
12/19/06 at 7:08pm
Can anyone help me?
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post #68 of 71
12/20/06 at 11:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NF_Haseo
So can you use a standard XP Pro disc on these DELL laptops or do you have to use the DELL XP disc (with loads of crap on it). Because I read a thread a while back, when someone tried to reformat a DELL laptop using a XP Pro disc, but it failed to read the disc.

I think it had something to do with deleting the DELL restore partition? But I dunno what that has got to do with it.

So what I ask is, can you treat a DELL laptop, almost like any other PC with the XP discs and have a safe reformat?

Thanks.
On some machines if they use a SATA hard drive you may have problems using the standard XP install disc...

.
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post #69 of 71
12/21/06 at 12:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeiliX
Quick format sets the entire disk as writeable just as is done when you delete a file. Normal (FULL) format flips all bits in the hard drive to 0 meaning there can be no lingering data to recover later on. This is the more appropriate method of reformating if your trying to recover from a virus.
I will add to the above that I always do the FULL format...

Before doing so if the OS is "up" I run a scandisk (through) to check the drive... and I may run any type of self-checks from the BIOS just for the heck of it...

BTW While the above takes longer, it's not like you have to sit there and watch the progress bar. Start it, and go get some lunch or something....

PS: I think running the full format during the OS install checks the drive for errors more so than the quick format?

.
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post #70 of 71
3/28/07 at 7:50pm
"Long" format is pretty useless with newer drives. Windows Vista doesn't even allow you to do a full format before installing...
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post #71 of 71
4/15/07 at 6:23pm
Hmm... not sure I will do this
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