Can I format and reinstall the operating system?

Formatting is used to erase yourhard drive. Many times, this is used to clean a hard drive after a virus or toperform a completely clean installation of a new operating system. A Compaqlaptop can be easily formatted, but formatting will only solve system problems,not hardware problems. The process should only be used to solve problems as alast resort, since it will erase all of your data.
1. Back up all data before performingthe format (if possible).2. Insertthe operating system disk and restart your computer and wait until prompt fromthe system.3. Strikeany key when prompted to begin running the disk.4.Choose between reinstalling yoursoftware or repairing. Reinstalling will allow you to format and thenreinstall. Repairing will bring you to a DOS menu. You will need to use FDiskwith each individual drive letter on your hard drive. Use this option if youhave a multiple partitions on your drive and only need to format a singlepartition.5.Choose "Full NTFS" formatif you choose to reinstall the operating system.Remember:Most users will only need to use thereinstallation option. This option is perfect for users with one partition orthose reinstalling or upgrading their operating system.
Never format your Compaq laptopwhile on battery power. If the battery dies during the format, you could ruinyour hard drive.Hope this helps, pleaselet me know if you need further assistance.Please don't forget to rateand comment if my solution was helpful, thanks!

If you boot the PC from the XP cd it will give you the option to delete partition and then format it b4 you reinstall the operating system. If the PC does not boot from CD you will have to change thee boot order in the bios. I do assume you are going to reinstall XP. Cheers from Scott and plz vote

all the files, programs saved on the same drive/partition will be lost. Make sure to save important data before you do a reinstall. After reinstalling the operating system, you can reinstall the drivers for your components, then reinstall the programs/applications you need.

If you took the hdd out and format it ..it will need to reinstall the operation system ..If you tried to install the operation system ..but now it says there is no operation system ..you need to reinstall it ..Anyway ..if it starts ..but not boot to windows..Just reinstall the operation system using a boo-table cd ..with the OS ..or the recovery partition on it ..by pressing the F12 ..and choose recovery partition ..(boot from ) if it has one ..it may be damaged when you tried to format ...
Remember to format means erase and form the memory units again ..and not installing ..reinstalling is another issue ..and when you do it ..it gives you the possibility to completely format a partition ..including C in our case..so that you are sure you end up with a clean Operation system ..

well you can use a bootable windows xp disk or actually any bootable windows or dos based operation system,go into your bios and make sure it is set to boot from CD.the rest is kinda self explaing..If you use a dos disk you'll have to Fdisk it or partion the hard drive.then format.if you use a XP cd its really self explaing.Just follow the on screen prompts and go like your reinstalling,When it ask you if you want to delete the partion and yes,then it will ask you to create a partion and yes or type C to create, then it will prompt you to format disk either quick or full.. Always choice full never quick.

just run the recovery cd's of Operating system and drivers that you had got at the time of purchase your system.

Format the hard drive and reinstall the OS. You will need the original Vista Disk or Vista Restore Disk you created after your bought the computer. Once you format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system it will be just as it was when you first turned it on. Know that you will loose everything on the computer when you format the hard drive. Back up what you do not want to loose.

Is the hard drive being recognised. IF it is then if you format and reinstall the operating system that will fix the problem. Sometimes it's possible to repair the OP instead of doing a full format and reinstall but I rarely find that successful.

Good luck

If u had the formatting software O/S then u can carry on . other wise u might contact a technician

you may have to reinstall the operating system......the files may be corrupted or a bad virus is inside.....ttry your antivirus scan and see what results it brings about