Hi, I need to Re-format Win 2000 Pro then do a clean install. I was told to boot from Win 2000 Pro CD is this correct? Also, with the download that I got today with Drivergiude I saved my Driver folder so that way I have my NON-Mircosoft Driver for the New Install/Clean Install --- can I save these drivers to a FLOPPY<it's real small>? This will be my first time doing a Format/Clean Install by myself.... Therefore, if you could give me some real easy tips and information on how to perform this correctly I would be very grateful!!! I don't have the need to backup any personal files as they are already on Floppies! Thanks ;o)

Some of your post doesn't make much sense but since no one else has attempted to give you some sort of answer, I'll try....

"I need to Re-format Win 2000 Pro then do a clean install. I was told to boot from Win 2000 Pro CD is this correct?"

Yes, this is the preferred/normal method.

"Also, with the download that I got today with Drivergiude I saved my Driver folder so that way I have my NON-Mircosoft Driver for the New Install/Clean Install --- can I save these drivers to a FLOPPY<it's real small>?"

Yes, providing the file size does not exceed the floppy disk capacity.

I'm not sure why your using some "unknown" download from driverguide.com. We have many drivers posted on driverguide.com so without you saying what it's for and what/why you downloaded, we cannot second guess that decision.
Files needed for backup can be saved to floppy with simple drag and drop technology built into Windows os's. It sounds like you may be using the "backup my files" link that has been appearing on driverguide.com pages for the last month or so... again you didn't explain so if this is what your doing, I personally would shy away from that as there are much easier methods to copy files to a floppy disk.

Perhaps if you could explain what your wanting to do in terms we could understand, more positive help could be given. :)

[QUOTE=Jerry K] Some of your post doesn't make much sense but since no one else has attempted to give you some sort of answer, I'll try....

[QUOTE=Jerry K] I'm not sure why your using some "unknown" download from driverguide.com. We have many drivers posted on driverguide.com so without you saying what it's for and what/why you downloaded, we cannot second guess that decision.

Jerry, what I meant was I did a search with (driverGuide toolkit program) I downloaded from this site! Then did a search on my PC for all my Non-Microsoft Drivers <the drivers that Win 2000 Pro don't provide on CD.

I have not downloaded any new drivers I just backed up the one's that I already had to a folder, these are the one's that I was asking about putting on a floppy.


[QUOTE=Jerry K] Files needed for backup can be saved to floppy with simple drag and drop technology built into Windows os's. It sounds like you may be using the "backup my files" link that has been appearing on driverguide.com pages for the last month or so...

I don't know of this link? (Sorry)

I also wanted to know if this is all I needed to do before I format my H.D. and ask if you can give me the best and easiest instructions on how to go about this?

Thanks for answering my post. :)

I did tell you how to go about backing up your files (if that's what your wanting to know)...ie: drag and drop (mentioned in earlier comment).
You do know how to drag and drop files/folders to a drive? ...eg: using your mouse...

There are other methods but since you only mentioned you had a small amount of data then floppy disk backup is ok. Larger files may require compression using programs like WinRAR or WinZip (my 2 favorites) .

These are the files I usually backup before formatting a drive:
all my music files (mostly mp3, wav, and wma)
all my documents (txt, doc, etc)
all my photos (jpg, gif, etc.)
all my email (method can vary depending on email program)

Where they are at can vary depending on where you saved them. Just use the search feature to look for files if you don't know where they are. Save all to floppy that are important to you.

Nothing else much matters since most are programs files and will be replaced when the applications are reinstalled.

and yes you can save the folder containing the drivers you mentioned earlier... same method... :)

go to this site http://www.windowsreinstall.com/install/win2k/installw2k/page1.htm
and print out the pages on a friends computer, it is a complete install guide with screenshots and everything...from beginning to end...hope this helps.

A

One program you could try prior to a full re-install is Drive Scrubber. To get to this log onto www.iolo.com and download the file to your computer then transfer it to a floppy. From there boot from floppy and this will completely delete anything on your hard drive.

I say this as if you just do a format through re-installation, there are still recoverable files on your hard drive due to the fact that every image (jpeg,jpg,gif) are magnetically imprinted onto your hard drive so even though you format the hard drive through re-install there still there. Drive scrubber completely gets rid as it is used by the USAF and FBI to wipe there computers.

Dean

Try checking out BOOTDISK.com