RESTORE TO FACTORY SETTINGS??

[sbuxman]

How should I answer the questions about partitioning? I'm given options to press enter for C: partition for NTFS...press C to create a partition in the unpartitioned space...press D to delete the selected partition.

[Midknyte]

You can just reformat the existing C: partition. Choose NTFS Quick.

[sbuxman]

Thanks...I need to buy a Starbucks card for you : )

[sbuxman]

I'm told that the partition has another OS installed on it and that it can cause problems: it's prob the professional...what to do?

[Midknyte]

You could always delete the existing C: partition and then create another one. D to delete, then C to create new C: partition.

How big is the hard drive? I usually make 2 partitions, but you only need to make the C: drive for now. Just enter the size you want for the C: partition.

[sbuxman]

You could always delete the existing C: partition and then create another one. D to delete, then C to create new C: partition.

How big is the hard drive? I usually make 2 partitions, but you only need to make the C: drive for now. Just enter the size you want for the C: partition.

HD is 160 GB, I think.


The latest caveat...Here's the warning I'm getting if I select D:

=

The partition you tried to delete is a system partition.

System partitions may contain diagnostic or hardware configuration programs, programs to start operating systems <such as Windows XP>, or other manufacturer-supplied programs.

Delete a system partition only if you are sure that it contains no such programs or if you are willing to lose them. Deleting a system partition may prevent your computer from starting from the hard disk until you complete installation of Windows XP.

To delete this partition, press ENTER. Setup will prompt you for confirmation before deleting the partition.

==============

Further information for the current C: drive:

Partition1 [NTFS] 95182 MB <74064 MB free>

Now what? Each new step feels more dire, but I'm in for the long haul...sorry this is taking so long; it probably feels elementary to you :/

[Midknyte]

Yes you want to delete the C: partition. That's the point of what you're trying to do, right?

If you don't have any data to save, you could delete all the partitions and start fresh. Just create a new C: at about 80GB. Later we can make a D: drive with the rest of the space. You only have to worry about C: for now.

[sbuxman]

Step One complete.

Since I've seen your and Train's notes about getting all the updates installed through SP3 before worrying about any drivers, I suppose I should first establish a wireless connection and connect to the Net to begin the downloads/installs. I don't know how to set up the wireless connection for my Verizon FIOS, having just tried unsuccessfully to do so : / I imagine that's because there are no drivers installed for the wireless device?

Also, once the wireless network is established, wouldn't the first important thing to do be download and install an AV? I've been using MSE...but first the wireless setup : )

[Train]

Have a friend download the drivers and put it on a USB stick or burn to a cd, what do for future needs.

Paid big time for me and working with client computers over the years.

[Midknyte]

Also, once the wireless network is established, wouldn't the first important thing to do be download and install an AV? I've been using MSE...but first the wireless setup : )

The first thing I do is install service packs. AV can cause problems during a service pack install. SPs can affect drivers also.

Next, install the video and chipset drivers. After that, network and sound drivers. These should have been downloaded ahead of time to a flash drive or CD, as Train mentioned.

After that install your AV and do a Windows Update.

[Midknyte]

In case you didn't find the drivers site yet:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...product=435618

You'll probably need Graphics, Audio, Touchpad (Input devices), Storage (SD card reader) and Network (there are 8 so you need to know what card you have).
You might need Modem drivers if you have a modem (if you don't use it, I would probably disable it in the bios).

[sbuxman]

Then I might as well hard-wire the laptop to my FIOS modem so I can download the service packs first and then perform the rest in the order you advise, because as I mention, I don't know how to set up a wireless network to establish a Net connection, and I definitely don't have one now without any drivers available for a wireless device.

Thank you!

[sbuxman]

I made it through SP 3, but I have a new problem before any AV or driver installs.

When I click Windows Update, I'm brought to the screen "Welcome to Microsoft Update," but can get no further after I click "Express Update." The screen that follows usually lists any updates to be downloaded and installed after a brief window that says, "Checking for the latest updates for your computer..." and a green progress bar rolling from left to right. But the window won't go to the next screen that enumerates all of the updates I still need, both Express and Optional. I'm now into the 28th minute of the system "Checking for the latest updates for your computer..." and nothing has changed.

Can someone please help?

Thank you!

[SpywareDr]

Some sort of problem with the site, (possibly overloaded?). You might want to try it again late tonight or early tomorrow.

∙∙∙edit∙∙∙

Finally got in after about 20 minutes. It's downloading the third of seven updates but it's progressing s-l-o-w-l-y.

[sbuxman]

Some sort of problem with the site, (possibly overloaded?). You might want to try it again late tonight or early tomorrow.

∙∙∙edit∙∙∙

Finally got in after about 20 minutes. It's downloading the third of seven updates but it's progressing s-l-o-w-l-y.

Yes, and thank you!

Had an unconfirmed report a moment ago that Microsoft acknowledges probs with its update site and does not yet have a fix...additionally, it may or may not be related to their bigger prob of a huge hole in the latest release of Outlook which already has them smarting as it adds to their list of recent embarrassments...that glitch has been well documented in the past 2-3 days in virtual print everywhere...