ok i need someone very clearly and preciely to run me through how to format my pc right now and load it all back on

i have some virus and cannot access any files what so ever ,all i get is this code

''this file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action.create an asscoiation in the folder options control panel''


i cant do a restore or anything as i cant access anything

so can someone pleas tell me how to format it
really easy instructions as i aint the best on pc 's

and please hurry

 

ANYONE ??????????

 

Why Formatting is Good, and How to Do It
by John Madden
Disclaimer: We accept no responsibility for things that happen as a result of following the instructions in this article. This is just a newbie's outline and guide. Format at your own risk.


Why format?
You may ask yourself-- WHY would I ever want to format my hard drive? Isn't that the first thing I learned about computers? NEVER mess with formatting, because that toasts all my data? Well, yes, that probably was one of the first things you learned about your computer; formatting is bad, and toasts all of your data. That's only partially correct though. Your data does get toasted, but that's only a bad thing if you haven't backed up properly, which you've done recently anyway, right? Right?

The fact of the matter is, the more you use your computer, the more often you should take an hour or so to blow the hard drive away, and start over from scratch. I generally format my Windows PC (during times of normal use) about once every 6-8 months, and I suggest this practice for any Windows user. As you use your computer, many somewhat destructive things happen to it:

You install new programs, adding to the registry, and taking up disk space.
You may eventually decide that you no longer need this new software, and uninstall it. Unfortunately, most uninstall programs do a poor job of completely removing the program from your system. Files are left behind, scattered in various places on your drive, taking up space. Registry keys added by programs are rarely removed correctly, making for a huge, slow, inefficient registry.
You get more and more data, taking up disk space. Formatting can make you think about what's really on your disk-- what you really need, and what's just useless space-wasting.
If you don't defragment your hard drive, file fragmentation occurs, which can slow your computer to a crawl as data is being searched for.
So what can you do about it? The simplest, most effective way is to format. It does take some time, and it can be risky, but 99% of the time, it's well worth it. Before we begin though, if your PC is a Compaq or HP, please read elsewhere, as they sometimes require extra "System Disks," which can cause problems. My advice to you is: Get another computer, and don't buy Compaq, HP, or IBM.


Getting Started
Before you can go and destroy all your data, you should probably back it all up first, unless of course, your data means nothing to you, in which case, you can skip this section.

Backing up is essential. No matter how you do it, make sure you do it well. It's advisable to do it more than once, actually; put it in more than one place. You have many devices to choose from: Floppies (the least recommended), another hard drive (probably the best option), Zip disks, writeable CD's, and my personal favorite, another computer entirely.

Backup only your data, the installation files for programs you've downloaded, and anything else that you can find that you think you might need. You can't copy your c:\windows, or c:\program files (and probably some others) over-- they won't work on your computer after the format, so don't bother trying to. To backup programs, you have to have the original installation media, whether it was a zip file you downloaded from the net, or an installation CD, you need it to reinstall the software once you've put Windows back on your hard drive.

If you have unusual hardware that Windows doesn't have native support for, you'll have to have special drivers for it to get it to work fully. You usually have the option of installing windows first, and then downloading the drivers later, unless the drivers are for something like a modem or network card. If this is the case, be sure to download drivers for the hardware before formatting, and make these part of your backup.

Once you've backed up, you'll need some way of getting your computer booted to format and reinstall Windows. The most popular method is a boot disk. If you already have DOS (restart in MS-DOS mode, and try to read a CD) support for your CD-ROM, you might not need one of these, but it'll still be a good idea to have one around just in case. My personal favorite is the Windows98 startup disk, which contains cd-rom drivers for just about any drive, and includes utilities like FDISK and FORMAT. Whatever your method of gaining cd-rom access, BE SURE it WORKS before you format that hard drive.


Let's Format!
Once you've backed up, and you have CD-ROM access within DOS, you're ready to format. Boot with your disk, type "format c:" and type 'y' at the confirmation prompt. Don't be shy, just go ahead and do it. The formatting process may take a long time, so go make yourself some coffee. If you're the way I was the first time I formatted a drive, you'll need it.

Pop in your Windows CD, type "d:" and hit enter (where D is the drive letter of your cd-rom), type 'cd win95' or 'cd win98', depending on your version of windows, and hit enter. Next, run Setup by typing 'setup' and hitting enter. Windows will run through it's install procedure, and lead you through the rest of the setup process. The rest should be a fairly self-explanatory process.

You should immediately notice that your computer is a lot faster (especially if you've never formatted it before), and of course, that you have a lot of free disk space.

 

Have fun m8

 

Nice one Adam.




Dave.

 

would be spot on that , but i aint got a boot disk

 

 

Ok im just reading what Adam has posted above....

If theres anything to add i shall let ya know in 2 mins!!!!

 

well aint doing nowt now it seems no boot disk ????????????

 

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q308089

 

you have an xp cd?

 

Sorry mate, no good on these.


Dave.

 

adam its not when i want to enter a website its every single program on my computer

i.e msn yahoo control panel word

basicaly every single program cos its saying it doesnt know what program to use

 

windows me by the way

 

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthre...hreadid=155176


HAS FIX IN HERE M8

 

but do you have an installation cd - windows 2000 or xp?
if so, you can boot from cd and format it from there

 

as mark said above!

was just going to type that

aslong as you have an installation CD, and you pc is CD bootable thats all you need.

put the CD, restart the machine and follow the instructions!

complete doddle!

 

cheers adam but it didnt work oh and ryan and mark i do have the cd i did what you said and nothing ?????????????

 

Does Windows ME boot from the CD though? Didnt think it did, in which case Gaz is gonna need a Start Up Disc...

 

think it does.. windows 98se and onwards boots fomr cd.

 

you need to setup you bios then, you know how to do that?

you need to change your boot sequence.

 

nope lol

i havent got a clue sorry

but im willing to learn all i have is my win me disk and all my mother board ones and stuff thats it

lets go for it

 

if you want gaz i can run it over with you over the phone?

 

gimme 5 mate im working on summat

 

Ok Gaz, i think you're gonna end up listening to too many peoples advice here, LOL.

You need to do it one way, ideally from one person who knows the complete way of doing it.

But for starters, you're going to need a way of formatting your Hard Drive, easiest way is using a Windows Start Up Disc. Im just trying to find you a link so you can download the necessary files (assuming you can put them onto a floppy in your computers current state) and then i can advise further on what to do and what to type and when etc.

 

use http://www.bootdisk.de/ for your bootdisks mate

 

nice one sketch and ryan and everyone lol its times like this that makes us all close roflmao

 

too true. I'll shut up for a bit!

 

Gaz

I could download the bootdisk from there for ya m8, but you would have to come round and get it cos ive had a drink

 

I reckon if you can get the boot disc, and then get Ryan on the phone to go over it with you, then between ya, it should be managable for you Gaz!

 

I agree with sketch... that sounds like a plan!

 

You sure Nige



Get it sorted Gaz

 

well i can download the boot file thingy but cannot copy it to me a drive

 

ill do it, come and pick it up

 

why can't you copy it gaz? any error message?

 

nope mark just nothing

 

im guessing he cant copy it because it needs an .EXE file to actually perform the copy and it cant find it

 

on way adam be there in 5 wont be long ppl

 

bring a quarter pounder with cheese

 

Adam!!