Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows Vista and 7 => Topic started by: thomasejk on August 26, 2008, 08:35:26 PM

Title: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: thomasejk on August 26, 2008, 08:35:26 PM
i don't have any re boot Cd's and i want to put vista on hard drive a friend put a temp windows xp on and i didn't register it  i bought vista and cant load it because the start up page is locked till i register xp i just want it off please help
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: drmsucks on August 26, 2008, 08:38:35 PM
This will completely erase all data on your hard drive.

http://www.dban.org/download
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: Broni on August 26, 2008, 09:15:30 PM
Wait a sec....it doesn't boot to Vista DVD?
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: thomasejk on August 26, 2008, 09:25:03 PM
no it is locked in start up page that wants me to reg windows xp and wont let me open any thing or laod any thing till i register xp so i cant put vista on till i get xp off
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: Broni on August 26, 2008, 09:39:05 PM
You're doing something wrong.
Do you have Vista DVD in DVD drive, while restarting computer?
Do you press "any key" to boot from DVD?
If so, it should show Vista installation screen, not XP.
If XP loads, it means, your boot order in BIOS is incorrect.
Do you know how to access BIOS?
What is the brand, and model of your computer?
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: Broni on August 26, 2008, 09:39:53 PM
Quote
wants me to reg windows xp
I don't understand. What is "reg"?
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: thomasejk on August 26, 2008, 10:15:26 PM
lets start over i bought an dell latitude notebook and it needed a new hard drive so i bought a new one my friend put his copy of xp on it to see if it would work it worked but you have to register the software after so many days after a few months i Finley bought vista and went to start up the laptop and it said i had to register it before it would let me open any thing and it stays at the start up page and i do not now how to get to the bios section please help thanks
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: Broni on August 26, 2008, 10:17:21 PM
You didn't answer any of my questions from my reply #4
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: thomasejk on August 26, 2008, 10:26:53 PM
yes i have the vista  cd in dvd drive and it sounds like its loading but the xp still cums up,and i dint now how to access bios, the brand is dell latitude cpt
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: Broni on August 26, 2008, 10:46:05 PM
Please, answer ALL my questions.
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: thomasejk on August 26, 2008, 11:10:58 PM
yes vista is in
no i dont pres any key
no i do not now how to access bios
the brand is dell
model is latitude cpt
thank you for your help
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: Broni on August 26, 2008, 11:21:23 PM
You should be able to access BIOS in that particular model, by pressing, or tapping F2 key while computer is starting.
When you get there, make sure, boot order is set as follows:
- floppy
- CD drive
- hard drive
When done, make sure, you save settings.
Now, you should be able to boot to Vista DVD.
Watch the screen for:
Press any key to boot from CD
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: thomasejk on August 26, 2008, 11:25:06 PM
thanks i Will try and let you know thanks again
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: Broni on August 26, 2008, 11:27:44 PM
Sure thing. See ya tomorrow...bed time.
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: thomasejk on August 26, 2008, 11:39:16 PM
i tried it but it said that windows had an unexpected error it might be from recent soft ware changes insert disc or contact your administrator for disc any other thoughts iv got to go to bed for work will contact you tomorrow thanks
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: Broni on August 27, 2008, 03:39:52 PM
You're still doing something wrong.
At BIOS level, Windows are not loaded yet, so there can't be any error.
Did you try F2 key?
If you entered BIOS successfully, your screen would look, more, or less, like this:

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c8/AwardBIOS_CMOS_Setup_Utility.png)
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: merlin on August 27, 2008, 03:45:23 PM
Nice tale........¬ The pc/laptop etc may not handle vis......
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: drmsucks on August 27, 2008, 03:57:59 PM
Broni - How did you get the snapshot of the BIOS?
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: Broni on August 27, 2008, 05:33:57 PM
Quote
How did you get the snapshot of the BIOS?
Google/images....:)
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: drmsucks on August 27, 2008, 07:32:07 PM
Thank heavens...I was afraid that there was a secret Broni program that would take a snapshot before the OS loaded...and I was impressed! :)
Title: Re: im trying to erase my hard drive
Post by: Broni on August 27, 2008, 07:39:39 PM
LOOOOOOOOL