restore or reformat

[pwp]

as i have a full xp disc with my computer i have the oppertunity to reformat or restore to factory settings.

my drive has three partitions c d e .

1

would a restore just involve the c partition or would i lose data from all partitions.

2

would it be as good as a format.

3

while i do either should i disconect my other drive. :unsure:

cheers

[pwp]

i feel lonely and neglected. :sadwalk:

[bvw]

You ask 2 questions really :)

Using the XP disk and doing a format will just affect the C drive.

I assume the E drive holds the factory settings info and will restore to factory settings.........but I don't know if it will restore the C drive AND the D drive.

My guess is yes....but it's only a guess.

Perhaps you'll explain what your problem, if any, is and why you need to revert back to day 1 :)

[pwp]

hi bvw,

the drive has a lot of problems,running slow, applications hang things like that.

as i have two drives both with xp i have more or less abandoned it.

but now with sp2 arriving i have decided its time to sort it out.

so is a restore the same or as good as a reformat. :unsure:

[Michelle]

I'm not sure but a restore is probably a 'quick' format (which doesn't check for bad sectors) whereas a format does check:

When you choose to run a regular format on a volume, files are removed from the volume that you are formatting and the hard disk is scanned for bad sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for the majority of the time that it takes to format a volume.

If you choose the Quick format option, format removes files from the partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. Only use this option if your hard disk has been previously formatted and you are sure that your hard disk is not damaged.

If you installed Windows XP on a partition that was formatted by using the Quick format option, you can also check your disk by using the chkdsk /r command after the installation of Windows XP is completed.

So, if you want to go back to basics and you have a full os disc it's probably best to do a full format (if it was me I'd do an fdisk, remove partitions, re-lay boot sector (in case of any hidden nasties) etc).

[madboy33]

Hold on you have said

restore to factory settings

In view of this i assume you do not have a full XP disc but a factory disc

If you format then you will not be able to

restore to factory settings

If you restore to factory settings then your computer will be clean

with regards to partitioning, did the computer come partitioned when you bought it?

[pwp]

thanks for the info Michelle.

hi madboy33™

yes the drive did come partioned cde. e has the restore routine and d has the drivers and software.

but the disc supplied with the computer a medoin is also a full xp disc and i

have used it to install xp on a second drive in the same computer.

i suppose (answering my own question) i could try a restore first and see how it goes.

cheers

[Scarecrow Man]

Format. Restore will probably wipe out your other drives.

[bvw]

My Medion Restore to Factory settings help file says:

[pwp]

hi bvw

sorted now i think found this info and apparently i have a windows disc and a

restore disc.

it also says if i restore i can leave data on d partition.

[bvw]

Medions ship with a full Windows disk plus the restore disk, looks like it will only affect the C drive.....which I presume is exactly what you want :)

So just use the Restore disk.

You will lose all Windows updates etc and when you connect to the internet you'll be infected with Blaster etc.....

Is your machine SP1 or just XP ?

It'll be worthwhile saving SP2 to your D drive before you take any further actions.....you can then install it immediately after the restore.

Do a bit of forward planning first perhaps ?

[pwp]

yep just xp so i wll go straight in with sp2 avg spyware blaster and i only ever use

xps firewall.

all i need now is the courage :rolleyes: