Here are the basic steps to “format and reinstall your operating system”.

*If you computer has “recovery disks”

• Make sure all data is backed up.
• Put recovery CD/DVD (may be more than 1) in drive and restart.
• If computer does not boot to CD/DVD, then you need to set BIOS boot order to CD/DVD first (this varies slightly from computer to computer).
• Once recovery program begins, follow instructions. This will format, partition, install OS, and drivers.
• After successful recovery, you need to allow Automatic Updates, install your software, etc.

*If you computer does not have “recovery disks” (HP, Compaq, some Toshibas)

• Make sure all data is backed up.
• Many computer manufacturers do not ship recovery disks, but put the recovery files on the hard drive. This is stupid because if your hard drive fails and has to be replaced, you are out of luck. If that is the case, find or buy another copy of Windows that will activate.
• When rebooting your computer, look for a screen flash at the very beginning that will say something like “press F11 for recovery manager”.
• The recovery key for Dell (typically launches Norton Ghost) is CRTL F11 at the Dell logo screen. Most Dells after 2005 have this installed.
• Once recovery program begins, follow instructions. This will format, partition, install OS, and drivers.

*If your computer has XP install CDs (most Dell’s)

• Make sure all data is backed up.
• Put XP/Vista install CD in drive
• If computer does not boot to CD/DVD, then you need to set BIOS boot order to CD/DVD first (this varies slightly from computer to computer).
• XP/Vista will recognize prior operating system on drive. You will want to hit ESC (usually) for a “fresh install”. DO NOT do a repair.
• This will format drive and install Windows cleanly.
• After successful recovery, you need to install drivers, allow Automatic Updates, install your software, etc.
• If you do not have the driver CD or the CD does not have all your drivers (printers, etc) you will need a working computer to search the ‘net and find them.

To help avoid a lot of this, learn to use “imaging” or “cloning” software such as Acronis. It makes things much easier and faster since you don’t have to reinstall drivers, software, settings, etc.

Advanced Links for Help:

Recovering the Delll Ghost Image

How Do I Restore My Dell™ Computer with Microsoft® With Windows® XP to Its Original Setup or a Recovery Point with Norton Ghost™?

Restoring Dell™ Factory Image From Microsoft® Windows® Recovery Environment – Vista

I’ve been asked this many time since I run dual-boot with Linux on a couple of computers. Here is an email reply that I thought would be good for the blog.

—————-

Question:

You were telling me one time how to use 2 different operating systems on a computer. I saw your post for the Unbuntu and have seen it used on a netbook just in passing. Looks really cool….

UPDATE 8-10-2010: Added a post for Vista here.

Many of you have heard me gripe and complain about HP computers before. After working on literally thousands of computers, I have found HP to be one of the worst. Some of the reasons?

• Most HP towers use proprietary sizes on their motherboards making replacements much more difficult.
• The tight spacing inside the tower makes repairs a pain and lends itself to ventilation and overheating issues.
• Driver support on their site is not always accurate to the specific model (problem with Toshiba also).
• The amount of pre-installed junkware is ridiculous – I don’t care how thin the profit margins are on PC’s.

However, the #1 gripe that I have with HP computers? – On most models they do not give you the original Windows install CD/DVD’s!

The problem with this is huge – HP puts the “recovery” or “image” data on a hidden partition on your drive. If your hard drive physically fails or the recovery partition gets corrupted, then you are totally screwed (not a nicer way to put it). You have to (1) call HP and beg for recovery disks and then wait on them and hope they are correct or (2) you have a purchase a copy a Windows and reinstall from scratch – meaning you pay for Windows twice.

This happens much more often than you would think. I know – I’ve been working on computers for over 12 years now.

HP Code Purple Error

So what is “code purple” error? Well a customer called with a non-starting computer. Some quick troubleshooting showed a failed power supply – not a big deal right? Wrong. I replaced the power supply and booted the computer back up. It was very much out of date with security patches, anti-virus, etc, so I ran the Windows Updates – to install 60+ of them. It never made it back to the desktop after rebooting – BSOD (blue screen of death) no matter what I did. Hmm – well ok, it probably need a wipe/reinstall anyway.

I booted it to an Ubuntu Live CD and started copying the important data off the drive – pictures, word docs, etc. Once that was done (30 GBs later), I ran the Recovery application using a “destructive” recovery. The application ran for about 20 minutes with no issues. Then I got the dreaded message on reboot:

“Your system has a detected a configuration error. Please report this error to Customer Care using the phone number found in the Warranty and Support Guide that came with your PC. Unless corrected, this error will prevent your PC from operating properly. Turn off your PC by pressing and holding the power button. After a few seconds your PC will automatically turn off. (Code Purple).”

I think I did a Yosemite Sam dance on the floor! Damn HP sucks! For those that don’t know, OEM’s (original equipment manufacturers) will “tattoo” the motherboard with a code that is checked after the recovery reboot. If the code is not found, then Windows will not boot. This is done ostensibly to thwart piracy such as using  Dell XP CD on an HP computer. What it really does is create a pain for the consumer and for computer techs – as usual.

What was the solution? Either try to explain to the customer that they have to contact HP and get recovery CD’s, try to explain to the customer that they will have to buy a copy of Windows, or put a “special” copy of Windows on the computer. I chose none of the above.

What should have been a 30 minute process has now turned into 3+ hours (replace power supply, failed updates, backup data, recovery, code purple issue, remove junkware, install updates, install apps, copy data back). People wonder why I get behind? Thanks HP!

———————–

Fix for Code Purple Error

———————–

This works on the HP m377n and several other models.

• Download Ubuntu ISO from www.ubuntu.com
• Burn the ISO to a CD (use CD Burner XP if you don’t have burning software that will do ISO files).
• Set your BIOS to boot to CD if not already set
• Boot to Ubuntu Live..Navigate to Places…(HP hard drive)…hp\bin\ConfigCheck
• Delete run.py
• Shut down Ubuntu, remove the CD, restart to Windows

Alternatively, you can remove the hard drive from the HP, plug it into a USB enclosure on another Windows machine (or linux box), and remove the run.py file.

I’ve just installed Windows XP on a Gateway GT5694 and finding the drivers wasn’t the easiest thing in the world. I’m posting the drivers that I used to install, including the SMBus, Wireless, Video, etc.

Be aware that some of these were direct from Gateway and are the Vista drivers which contain the XP drivers as well. A couple were direct from RealTek and from ATI.

If you have any trouble post a comment here, but the support will probably be limited. As long as you can get the netwwork drivers going, I can setup a remote support session and actually help you out.

Gateway GT5694 XP DRIVER DOWNLOADS

=============
From Email to a client
=============

I’ve finally compiled my list of suggestions for helping to secure them and streamline the process of setup. This will help insure consistency of the laptops which will provide a much better classroom experience. Hopefully, the computers will be running XP, but these recommendations will work for Vista as well.

Implementing all of this will take quite a bit of time to get it setup. However, the long-term benefits greatly outweigh the short-term expense.

*Assumes all computers running the same (or very very similar hardware).

==============
Initial Preparation – before any use by a student or faculty
==============

Cost: FREE (except time & software licenses)

• All computers must have any “junk” software removed.
• Default applications must be installed – Firefox, MS Office, PDF Creator, OpenOffice.org, AVG, Adobe Reader, Picasa, Google Earth, Virtualbox, Thunderbird, etc.
• All class specific applications must be installed – typing software, etc
• TCP/IP set to OpenDNS.

===============
Imaging of Computers
===============

Cost: FREE or $100/computer

Imaging of the computers is very critical. This insures that you have a full and complete bit by bit backup of your systems. In a worst-case scenario, it can save tons of time. Also, after the class is over, the computer can be returned to “ready to go” state for the student.

The basic step is your setup 1 computer just how you want it (known as the master). It has all the software and drivers installed needed. Once you have this master setup, then you can image all the other computers (known as slaves) to the master.

The advantage is time. Rather than have to go to each computer and set them all up individually, you create them all at once by using a master/slave setup on your network. The master computer is running the server version of the imaging software and distributes its image to all the slaves on the network.

Free – There are free open source solutions out there that work really well although they aren’t as intuitive as the proprietary options.

http://www.clonezilla.org  – best open source for networked imaging

http://ping.windowsdream.com – best for single machine imaging

$100 / computer – these are software that I’ve used in the past extensively and work well.

Acronis True Image Echo Workstation
http://www.acronis.com/enterprise/products/ATICW/

Norton Ghost
http://www.symantec.com/norton/ghost

===========
MS Steady State
===========

Cost: FREE (except setup time)

Note: Runs on 32-bit XP, Vista only

Microsoft has released a product called Steady State. Once installed, it uses imaging technology to return a computer to an exact state every time the computer is restarted. This means that after setting up a computer initially, the computer will be returned to that state after every reboot.

This software can be incredibly useful to make sure that a computer is always in a clean workable state for the classroom. Unlike relying totally on imaging (which requires the master/slave process each time), Steady State returns the computer to a proper state after reboot – automatically. The computer can much more easily be locked down for internet access, etc.

Windows SteadyState in the Classroom
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/seeit/classroom.mspx

Windows SteadyState Disk and System Protection
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/whatis/diskandsystemprotection.mspx

FAQs
http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/c/6/fc6955de-0765-46fc-b2a9-47b4d4bcd160/SteadyState_2.5_Technical%20FAQ_updated.pdf

==============
Network Access and Protection
==============

Cost: Service – FREE (except setup time), Router – $60

All computers should be using OpenDNS for security and robustness. This is easily setup in the tpc/ip settings; however, ideally the classroom computers should be running on a separate subnet from the main building network. They need to be behind their own router that we can control.

We should immediately purchase a WRT54GL, flash it with DD-WRT firmware, and install it on the building network. Then we setup the student laptops to connect to it only.

WRT54GL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190

DD-WRT Firmware
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/What_is_DD-WRT%3F

OpenDNS
http://www.opendns.com/smb/solutions

==================
Educating Users
==================

One of the most important steps in this process is educating the users/students on basic safety and security. Fortunately, I have a couple of blog posts that help address this. During the class itself we also spend quite a bit of time discussing simple security issues.

Layered Security Basics
http://www.smartergeek.com/blog/2008/03/layered-security-basics.asp

Simple Rules for Your Computing
http://www.smartergeek.com/blog/2008/01/simple-rules-for-your-computing.asp

Why did I get infected in the first place?
http://www.smartergeek.com/blog/2008/07/why-did-i-get-infected-in-first-place.asp

Myspace and Antivirus 2009
http://www.smartergeek.com/blog/2008/12/myspace-and-antivirus-2009.asp

Recently, I had a friend of an existing client call. His laptop had somehow corrupted (apparently) all of the drivers for XP. Unfortunately, time was short and I could not get it back to a working state, before he had to return to Arkansas.

To further complicate matters, the corrupted drivers included basically all of the core hardware. He could not even use his CD-ROM or USB ports. I’m surprised the thing would even boot.

Here is the email that I sent to him after a lengthy phone call. With as much time and effort as he already has in this, he has hit the “wall of diminishing return”. That means it is more efficient time-wise and financially for him to completely redo his computer.

As you can see, I am following my policy of open-information sharing to help this guy. The following steps are my basic process for reinstalling Windows.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your Laptop:
Sony Vaio PCG-7A2L VGNFS640
Windows XP
Hard Drive Type: IDE

————————————-
Recover/Backup your data
————————————-
**Always remember rule #1: You are only as good as your last successful backup from which you can recover.

(1) Physically remove the hard drive from the pc. Purchase a USB enclosure, install the hdd, and connect it to a working Windows, Linux, or Mac. Copy your data from the drive.

Example Locations of Data
(driveletter):\documents and settings\(username)\my documents
(driveletter):\documents and settings\(username)\desktop

USB Enclosure Examples:
http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p1_External-hard-Drives_220347_Business_Supplies_10051_SEARCH

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145329

OR

(2) Download a Linux ISO such as Ubuntu onto a working pc. Create a bootable CD from the ISO, make sure your laptop BIOS is setup to boot to CD first, and boot to the Linux live CD (test it – do not install). Linux will see right into your HDD. Copy files to a removable flash drive, etc.

www.ubuntu.com

——————
Wipe (nuke) the Drive – optional but recommended
——————

*Backup or recover your data first!!!

**CAUTION**
Once you wipe the drive, your recovery files (if present) will be deleted as well. These recovery files are the Windows installation files that the manufacturer put in a hidden partition on your hard drive. In many cases, your recovery CD/DVD will only work with these recovery files. That means that the computer manufacturer effectively screwed you if your hard drives – you will have to buy a copy of Windows even though you paid for one with your computer purchase. Sony is bad about this.
****************

Because of the odd nature of what happened to your system, I would suggest wiping the drive. Basically you will create a “nuke” disk or CD, boot to that, and start the wiping (erasing) program. It typically will take a couple of hours depending on the size of your drive.

Darik’s Boot and Nuke – use this for wiping the drive
http://www.dban.org/download

Download the one for CD and DVD media since you don’t have a floppy drive.

Screenshots of DBaN
http://sourceforge.net/project/screenshots.php?group_id=61951

How do I make a bootable CD or bootable DVD with the ISO file?
http://www.dban.org/faq/burning

——————
Reinstall Windows XP
—————–

*SATA drives will typically require drivers and a floppy disk drive (CD won’t work) to install WinXP. IDE drives will not.

(1) Purchase a copy of  Windows XP Home Edition (full copy – not the upgrade). Put the CD in your drive and boot the computer from the CD. Follow the instructions in the installer. You can use a “quick format” when asked.

WinXP Home Edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116511

WinXP Professional
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116513

OR

(2) Purchase a copy of your recovery CD’s from the manufacturer. See the warning about nuking/wiping first!

Sony – How to purchase recovery CD/DVDs for computer products.
http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=C61643&sliceId=2&mdl=null#

———————–
Download and Install Drivers
———————–

*Sometimes your manufacturer will have the wrong drivers posted or none at all. That is when you find out that Google is your friend.

You will need to visit the support/drivers section of your computer manufacturers website. There you will locate the drivers for your model of computer. Normally you will need to download them using a working computer as Windows will typically not have built-in drivers for your LAN, video, audio, etc.

Copy the driver files to a USB drive, CD, etc, and install them on the fresh installation of XP.

————————
Reinstall Software
————————

You will need to reinstall any software that you typically use – Firefox, Adobe Reader, MS Office, PDA software, etc.

———————-
Copy your data back
———————-

Plug in your USB drive (or whatever) and copy your data back to your nice shiny installation of WinXP!

—————
Review the Following Blog Posts
—————
Backup and Imaging
http://www.smartergeek.com/blog/2008/07/backup-and-imaging.asp

The Importance of Backups
http://www.smartergeek.com/blog/2008/07/importance-of-backups.asp

Recently, I had a customer who needed XP installed on a Gateway MFATXPNT ESX e4000 – originally, it came with Win 2000 Professional. Putting XP on a computer is no big deal, but sometimes finding the right drivers can be. In this case MPC computers has purchased some of the Gateway models, and of course the drivers for this model are not listed on Gateway’s website.

*Note: MPC is out of business.

The only driver that gave me any issue was the sound driver. However, if you “manually” install the driver using the “Have Disk” function, then it will install just fine.

If you have any questions or want a zipped copy of the drivers that I used, comment to this post or email me.

UPDATE 1-2-2009:
It appears that MPC is going out of business. Here is a download link to the XP Drivers that I used. If these drivers or this post help you out, please let me know.

UPDATE 2-25-2009:
Reposted driver downloads directly from my site. Sorry about that to anyone who attempted to download them and couldn’t.

UPDATE 3-5-2009:

Added screenshot of audio “have disk” manual driver installation. Click image for larger version.

IMPORTANT UPDATE 6-18-2009:

Received an email from Steve at www.mpcdrivers.com and www.mpctechsupport.com – looks like he has a great site with virtually all drivers for the Gateway – MPC models. If you are looking for additional help or these drivers don’t work, take a look on his site.

Best of all they are provided for free – like mine. If his site helps you out, make a donation to help him out.