To reformat the HDD, I need a computer!

demonofaj · Post by **demonofaj** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 3:43 pm

OK, at school, there's a problem with the one and only computer in our room. Basically, some moron messed up System 32, and deleted some key files thinking it was 'funny'. It wasn't, seeing I lost a lot of good pie charts (Yes, PI charts, lol pun

). Anyway, I tried to install the BASE OS, Windows NT, but they lost the CD key, however, they had a copy of Windows 2000, with the CD key, and I thought to upgrade, but everytime I turn on the machine, it goes to a NT setup screen, and the Compaq Computer's BIOS won't let me reformat the harddrive, any advice on what I should do or should I even reformat.

Lucretius · Post by **Lucretius** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:24 pm

Well, not to sound to apathetic, but if it's not yours, I wouldn't be so worried. And if it's a school computer I'd really let it be. Those tech guys for public schools are in a union and get real touchy about people trying to do their job. Trust me, I know...

atari2600a · Post by **atari2600a** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:10 pm

Have you tried looking at the BIOS settings?

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:16 pm

Lucretius wrote:Well, not to sound to apathetic, but if it's not yours, I wouldn't be so worried. And if it's a school computer I'd really let it be. Those tech guys for public schools are in a union and get real touchy about people trying to do their job. Trust me, I know...

I too say to do nothing. School is bad enough on its own, why help them? If you got out of an assignment, then it might be worth it.

I'm suprised they even let you try to fix it, I'm sure I'd get in trouble if I tried to help (and its funny to watch them suffer, like substitutes not knowing how to change the inputs on the tv).

Post by **bicostp** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:17 pm

If the machine has enough RAM...

1. Download Slax Linux or DSL Linux.

2. Boot from the CD, passing the correct settings to the boot prompt to make the system load into RAM.

3. Take the CD when it gets spit out.

That will keep the machine useful as an internet terminal / basic office machine until the tech guy reformats it with Windows. Best of all it does not harm the PC at all, so you won't get in trouble! (Plus the perpetrator will get confused because there's no WINDOWS folder to delete.

)

atari2600a · Post by **atari2600a** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:20 pm

Wait a minute, why are you trying to reformat the drive? NT & 2000 both use the same file system. (NTFS) Reformatting shouldn't be a requirement!

demonofaj · Post by **demonofaj** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:23 pm

Err, I'm part of the school's Tech Squad: Your average Stereotypical Nerd. About Linux, the school won't allow me to run 'illegal' code, and since they've never seen a penguin in Staples. lol, thanks for the help though Bic. I think I got a solution. I found a Boot Disk on the internet, and am burning it onto a floppy as we speak. I think I can reformat from there?

Also, I know it's NTFS, but there's a big problem, I just can't get out of the OS installer, even when I put in a new CD. So just reformat, delete all the crap and start from Square one, then reinstalling drivers and such.

atari2600a · Post by **atari2600a** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 6:07 pm

It sounds like something w/ the boot sequence on the BIOS.

By the way, you don't burn things onto floppies. Floppies store data magnetically, not optically.