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    Dell Inspiron 6000 Reformat..

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Tram, May 22, 2008.

  1. Tram

    Tram Newbie

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    Hey guys-

    I am working on reformatting my laptop.. It's just.. that time.. :)

    Anyway, I'm no computer wizard and have run into a small issue..

    This is my first reformat of a laptop..

    I am getting to the "delete partition stage" and it will not allow me to delete said partition due to "temp files needed for install..."

    What is the best way to get around this?

    I am thinking about downloading GParted and just blasting away the partitions, but am a bit leary of reformatting the laptop as I don't want to be unable to regain my drivers, etc for this machine..

    So I guess.. the real question is..

    What is the best way to reformat this thing to "fresh."

    Thanks

    Jeff
     
  2. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    Are you trying to reformat your computer while Windows is running? You need to download your drivers and then either use the format tool on the XP install disk or use DBAN with the quick erase option to wipe the drive.
     
  3. Tram

    Tram Newbie

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    I have the disks from when the laptop was new.. SHould that have all the drivers I will need?
     
  4. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    There will be a disk called the Recovery Disk which includes only the operating system. Then you should have a driver disk as well. You will probably have other disks that install other trial programs such as a image burning software. I'd also suggest you find the link to SP3 standalone install so you won't have to download a ton of updates.
     
  5. Tram

    Tram Newbie

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    Yeh, I've got the recovery disk and the driver disks... I'll see if I can find a link to the SP3 standalone..