Format Drive and Perform Full System Recovery Using Gateway System Recovery Windows XP Recovery CDs

This option completely erases the hard disk and reinstalls factory-shipped files. It also allows the recreation of the recovery partition. Use this option if the hard drive is blank or all other options fail to restore the machine to a satisfactory condition.

Note: All your personal data files and applications will be lost. Be sure that you have your data files backed up before performing this option.

Note: Due to the large number of virus and spyware threats on the Internet, it is recommended that you disconnect all Internet connections before reinstalling Windows®. After the Windows installation, antivirus and firewall software can be installed and then the Internet connection can be re-enabled to update the antivirus definitions and perform Windows Updates.

  1. Place disk 1 of the recovery CD set into the optical drive.

  2. Turn off the computer using the normal Windows shut down process.

  3. After the computer is turned off, disconnect all USB devices except the keyboard and mouse. This includes USB devices such as a printer, scanner, removable storage, or camera.

  4. Turn on the computer. To start recovery, at the prompt press the R key.
    View Picture

    Note: Do not press F11 or the computer will start to the hard drive System Recovery.

  5. To format the drive and perform a full system recovery, press F.
    View Picture

  6. To format the drive and install a new operating system, press Y.
    View Picture

  7. At the prompt Do you want to create a recovery partition on the hard disk drive?, select the appropriate action.
    View Picture

    • If this is a blank hard drive, press Y to create a recovery partition used for standard system recovery.
    • If this hard drive already contains files on a recovery partition, press N to bypass creating a recovery partition.

  8. System Recovery launches and copies files from disk 1 of the recovery CD set.
    View Picture

  9. At the System Recovery dialog box, place disk 2 of the recovery CD set in to the optical drive.
    View Picture

  10. Files copy from the CD.
    View Picture

  11. At the next System Recovery dialog box, place next disk of the recovery CD set in to the optical drive. Continue this process until you have used all disks of the recovery CD set.
    View Picture

  12. In the final System Recovery dialog box, click Restart.
    View Picture

  13. The computer restarts.

  14. Drivers and applications are installed.
    View Picture

  15. In the Welcome to Microsoft Windows screen, click Next.
    View Picture

  16. In the Are your speakers working? screen, click Yes! I can hear the music!, and then click Next.
    View Picture

  17. In the What time zone are you in? screen, select the appropriate time zone, and then click Next.
    View Picture

  18. In the End User License Agreement screen, click Yes I accept for both EULAs, and then click Next.
    View Picture

  19. In the What's your computer's name? screen, type a name for the computer and a description, if desired, and then click Next.
    View Picture

  20. The computer checks the Internet connectivity. Please wait.
    View Picture

  21. In the How will this computer connect to the Internet? screen, click Skip.
    View Picture

  22. In the Ready to register with Microsoft screen, to register with Microsoft after the OOBE screens are completed, select No, not at this time, and then click Next.
    View Picture

  23. In the Thank you screen, click Finish.
    View Picture

  24. Installation is complete. Any application that shipped on a separate CD can now be installed. It is recommended to update the antivirus definitions and perform Windows Updates.