Reformating my computer

inabis · 09-19-2007, 04:58 PM

Hey guys,
I have a Sony (FS 5550) and I want to reformat my hard drive...the computer never came with the cd to reformat so I dont know how to do it. Is there any 3rd-party program I could use to reformat? My computer takes about 4-5 minutes to load and it's driving me crazy

Zirenz2006 · 09-19-2007, 05:05 PM

Well if you do a reformat of your C Drive you will wipe out your operating system. Are you running XP? You need the windows disc to do a proper reformat and reinstall of your OS.

inabis · 09-19-2007, 05:07 PM

yeah, I'm running XP...I thought there was a way to restore the computer to the original factory settings?

533ogetnom · 09-19-2007, 05:07 PM

most laptops ship with a hidden partition and low level software to wipe the hardrive and restore the partition (which has a super compressed copy of how the PC shipped)

read your manual and see if you can figure out how to access it, otherwise get a windows key reader and get your product key and borrow a windows disk from someone before you reformat otherwise you will be screwed

firstkill · 09-20-2007, 12:08 AM

the cd key might be on the bottom of the computer if theres a windows sticker.

fk

wuufer001 · 09-20-2007, 12:53 AM

i had to burn a backup/restore copy of my windows first (was a laptop)

just4kickz · 09-20-2007, 12:56 AM

there might be a program pre-installed in the computer which allows you to go back to factory settings if your computer does not come with the proper cds for going back to stock.

GreddyBoy858 · 09-20-2007, 01:12 AM

Sony's have a hidden partition that will restore the laptop to factory default.

BMXtreme · 09-20-2007, 01:23 AM

Sony suck..(mine is a Vaio something) you have to actually create the restore image using it's tools..whatever they call it.. The manual should have indicated this in the first few pages.

UncleWede · 09-20-2007, 10:18 AM

Yeah, you have to create your own XP CD.

After that, put the CD in, restart, and press (F10, F12?) key to do a temporary boot change, select teh CD, and then you can reinstall AFTER the drive format.

PancakeWafflez · 09-20-2007, 06:28 PM

go to c:/fdisk -- works wonders i hear. lol

No, being serious here...first reboot your pc, when it starts up you should see a set of commands flash during boot; usually f11 or f9 or del.

Find the command that's going to take you to like a 'boot' or 'repair', or something along those lines. It's usually like a diagnostic thing.

There you should be able to follow the on screen instructions.

09-19-2007, 04:58 PM	#1
inabis Captain 308 Rep 955 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Daytona Beach->Denver->Seattle->The Bay iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Reformating my computer Hey guys, I have a Sony (FS 5550) and I want to reformat my hard drive...the computer never came with the cd to reformat so I dont know how to do it. Is there any 3rd-party program I could use to reformat? My computer takes about 4-5 minutes to load and it's driving me crazy
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-19-2007, 05:05 PM	#2
Zirenz2006 Brigadier General 1777 Rep 4,692 Posts Drives: G87 M2 Zandvoort Blue Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: US - NE iTrader: (0)	Well if you do a reformat of your C Drive you will wipe out your operating system. Are you running XP? You need the windows disc to do a proper reformat and reinstall of your OS. __________________ Current: 2024 ///M2 Zandvoort Blue Past: 2021 ///M3 Competition IOMG \| 2018 X3 ///M40i \| 2012 *328i* \| 2009 *335i* \| 2007 *335i Coupe* \| 2005 *545i* \| 2001 *325i*
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-19-2007, 05:07 PM	#3
inabis Captain 308 Rep 955 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Daytona Beach->Denver->Seattle->The Bay iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	yeah, I'm running XP...I thought there was a way to restore the computer to the original factory settings?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-19-2007, 05:07 PM	#4
533ogetnom Banned 103 Rep 1,760 Posts Drives: 335coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	most laptops ship with a hidden partition and low level software to wipe the hardrive and restore the partition (which has a super compressed copy of how the PC shipped) read your manual and see if you can figure out how to access it, otherwise get a windows key reader and get your product key and borrow a windows disk from someone before you reformat otherwise you will be screwed
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-20-2007, 12:08 AM	#5
firstkill Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 247 Posts Drives: e93 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alhambra iTrader: (0)	the cd key might be on the bottom of the computer if theres a windows sticker. fk
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-20-2007, 12:53 AM	#6
wuufer001 Colonel 403 Rep 2,348 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 M/T Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: DFW, TX//Taiwan//South Africa iTrader: (5) Garage List 2006 325i [9.34]	i had to burn a backup/restore copy of my windows first (was a laptop) __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-20-2007, 12:56 AM	#7
just4kickz boku no namae ha... 344 Rep 11,023 Posts Drives: 2006 BS 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S. Bay Area, CA + Newark, NJ + ChiCity + True Blue iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	there might be a program pre-installed in the computer which allows you to go back to factory settings if your computer does not come with the proper cds for going back to stock. __________________ looking for a PreLCI Black Sapphire e90 front bumper without license plate holes "Akimbo shotguns. Broken wrists anyone? And don't give me that 'it's just a game' bull**. Where the are my akimbo interventions then?! One scope on each eye mother**er!!"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-20-2007, 01:12 AM	#8
GreddyBoy858 Mack 28 Rep 209 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Sony's have a hidden partition that will restore the laptop to factory default. __________________ 2006 BMW 325i / Jet Black / Black Dakota / Step / Nav w/ iDrive/ Premium / Sport / Sat Radio/ Adaptive Xenon Headlights / Debadged / Chrome Exhaust Tips / Rear Foglight Mod. / Rear DC Power Outlet Mod. / 20% Tint
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-20-2007, 01:23 AM	#9
BMXtreme Lieutenant Colonel 63 Rep 1,657 Posts Drives: E60 535i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Sony suck..(mine is a Vaio something) you have to actually create the restore image using it's tools..whatever they call it.. The manual should have indicated this in the first few pages.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-20-2007, 10:18 AM	#10
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18525 Rep 9,432 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Yeah, you have to create your own XP CD. After that, put the CD in, restart, and press (F10, F12?) key to do a temporary boot change, select teh CD, and then you can reinstall AFTER the drive format.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-20-2007, 06:28 PM	#11
PancakeWafflez Private 21 Rep 50 Posts Drives: Alpine White 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	go to c:/fdisk -- works wonders i hear. lol No, being serious here...first reboot your pc, when it starts up you should see a set of commands flash during boot; usually f11 or f9 or del. Find the command that's going to take you to like a 'boot' or 'repair', or something along those lines. It's usually like a diagnostic thing. There you should be able to follow the on screen instructions. __________________ 2007 AlpineWhite/TerraDakota 335i.Sedan.
	Appreciate 0 Quote