Format and Reinstall

Information

Is your computer still behaving badly? If you have not already, please try cleaning all viruses and spyware (http://www.antivirus.vt.edu/reactive/viruses.asp) from your computer. However, it may have a virus, spyware/adware, or an operating system problem that can not currently be repaired. If so, you may need to reformat, reinstall the OS and applications, and secure the computer. For assistance with formatting a computer and reinstalling Windows, contact either your computer’s manufacturer or a local repair shop. Or, do it on your own. Either way read the following so you understand the process.

Before the reformat:

• IMPORTANT: Disconnect your Ethernet cable from the portal.
• Get the latest copy of VTnet from Software Distribution on the Torgersen Bridge. It contains updates needed to keep your machine from immediately being reinfected when you connect to the network.
• Locate all your OS, application, and driver CDs. If your vendor supplies a system restore CD, locate it.
• Backup all your important files (http://www.antivirus.vt.edu/info/backup.asp) including email and bookmarks. Back them up to a freshly formatted Zip disk, writable CD/DVD or external harddrive. You might want to make two copies.

If the above did not work, try a complete destructive reinstall

Reinstalling Windows Vista/XP/2000/98 (destructive)

• Formatting the disk and reinstalling the operating system WILL delete everything on the hard disk. Once you proceed with these steps, you CANNOT recover any data that you did not back up.
• During the install you will need to enter a Windows password. Do not leave this field blank. Remember this password.
• Do not plug the computer back into the network until the security patches on the VTnet CD have been run and the CD instructs you to plug in your cable.
• Install Norton’s AntiVirus and run Windows Update as instructed by the VTnet CD.
• You will need to reinstall all your applications and copy data files back to your computer. The entire process could take several hours (4 to 8 hours +) depending on your system configuration and the software you need.

Reinstalling Windows Vista/XP/2000/98 General Instructions:

1. You may want to contact your computer vendor to see if they have specific instructions before starting. Some vendors no longer supply a CD but have included a Recovery area on your hard drive that you active by pressing some key sequence when booting.
2. Insert your Microsoft Windows CD or reinstallation CD into the CD-ROM drive. Remember this WILL delete everything on the hard disk. Backup all your important files (http://www.antivirus.vt.edu/info/backup.asp)
3. Restart your computer.
4. If the computer does not boot from the CD and display the Microsoft Windows setup screen, contact your manufacturer for assistance with booting the computer from the CD-drive.
5. Setup will automatically inspect your computer’s hardware. This may take several minutes.
6. When the Microsoft Windows screen appears, press ENTER to begin setup.
7. Read the license agreement and then press F8 to accept it.
8. Format all existing partitions with the correct filesystem, depending on the version of Windows you are installing:
   • Windows 98 or Millenium Edition: Fat32
   • Windows Vista, XP or 2000: NTFS
9. Press ENTER when finished and Setup will examine the hard disks and copy the Windows installation files. When installation is complete, the computer will restart.
10. During the restart, the Windows GUI will guide you through the rest of the setup. Follow the prompted instructions and enter information as necessary. Information you will be prompted for may include:
    • Product Key
    • Date/Time
    • Network Components (most users should select 'Typical' to use DHCP)
    • Workgroup or Domain (most users should select Workgroup)
    • Computer Name (a unique identifier for your computer. You could use something like your PID. Anything that is unique.)
    • New Passwords for the computer. (*****NEVER LEAVE PASSWORDS BLANK***. USE GOOD, STRONG PASSWORDS OR YOUR COMPUTER COULD BE COMPROMISED.)
11. Now reinstall the appropriate drivers from the drivers CD your manufacturer provided.
12. After Windows has finished reinstalling and the drivers are installed, run the VTNet CD BEFORE connecting to the network.
13. Get all the latest updates from http://www.windowsupdate.com, and install anti-virus software from VTNet CD.

NOTE: Some of these steps were adapted from information in Microsoft Knowledge Base articles on reinstalling Windows.