When you noticed that your computer is running really slow, or when you decided to upgrade or downgrade the operating system, it is time to format.
Applicable to
Almost all operating systems with ISO image file (.iso)
Things required
- Operating System's ISO image file
- A disk, preferably DVD or a pen drive, preferably > 8GB
- A ISO burner (CD/DVD method) or Rufus (Pen drive method)
- Time: ~10 minutes (Burning) + ~1 hours (Format)
A. Burn ISO image file to a removable device
a. CD/DVD method
If you use Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, follow the (i), if you use Windows 8 or lower, follow the (ii)
(i) Use Windows's built in ISO mounting tool
Right-click the ISO image file you want to burn into the DVD and click Burn disk image. Insert the DVD and select the drive containing the DVD. Click burn after that and when it is finished go to B.
(ii) Use an ISO burner (We use Free ISO Burner)
Open and select your ISO image file, choose your disk drive and click on Burn to start. (You may adjust the Options yourself) Go to B when it is done.
b. Pen drive method
1. Download Rufus from here.
2. Run Rufus and plug in your pen drive. Select the pen drive name in Device and click on the CD icon. Choose the ISO image file. Click on Start. When it is done goto B.
B. Start formatting
NOTE : This section is too wide due to the amount of operating systems available, we will only briefly explain some keywords.
1. Reboot your computer and boot into BIOS menu.
NOTE : To boot into BIOS, repeatedly tap either F2, F12 or Del, these are the most common keys to open BIOS menu. If you are unable to boot into the BIOS, look at the first screen when your computer is booting up, there will be a menu telling you the key functions.
2. Look for device priority menu and change the removable device with the operating system as the first bootable device.
NOTE : Some keywords for this are 'Boot Sequence', 'Device Sequence', 'Boot Priority'.
3. Save and quit the BIOS, reboot your computer.
4. When there is a screen asking you to boot from CD/USB, tap Space (Or any other key).
5. You should be inside a installation screen. (This is Windows 2000 setup, of course it looks ugly and not user-friendly, but Windows such as Windows 7 or 10 is more user-friendlier and easier to install)
6. Follow the instructions, these are the things you need to know:
(i) Upgrade or Advanced Settings
- Newer Windows NT, only show when you have pre-existed operating system in your computer.
If you don't want to lose anything and just want to upgrade, choose Upgrade. Else, choose Advanced Settings.
(ii) Partition Management
- Almost all operating systems
Choose Advanced Settings (In Windows) or when installing most of the Linux operating systems, it will ask you where to install the operating system. It will be better if you know which partition to install. If you choose a partition, the operating system will install inside the partition you choose and push the older operating system into a folder if exist. To wipe out the whole partition you can format that.
(ii) Serial key
- Almost all Windows operating systems
Some of them is compulsory to enter a valid key, while some operating systems you can skip the procedure and have a 30 days trial before you need to reinstall the computer again.
7. Wait for everything. The screen might flash and computer will restart during the installation.
Isn't it simple? You shouldn't waste RM100 just to tell the computer shop to help you now.
(Be warned, buying Windows operating system cost more than RM100, but you can use it forever. As an alternative, go Linux, if you like terminal.)
