Toshiba A105 S2194 reformat question...

homerm07 · 02-23-2008, 08:27 AM

I don't know if this is the right section for this question, sorry if it's not.

I don't have the original recovery disks and the recovery partition isn't present on the Toshiba laptop in question. It's been infected with a virus and the whole PC is now slower than Vista, not literally but it is slow.

The computer in question has Windows XP Media Center SP2 currently and I want to install a clean copy of XP Home SP2. I did manage to find a site that offers all Toshiba drivers so I'm going to go with that.

I need to know what is the best choice or method to do this. I have a legal copy of XP still in it's wrapper. I just need to know how I go about with this and if it will have major impacts with the laptop later because of the install.

**simpswr** · 02-23-2008, 08:44 AM

To downgrade to XP Home, you will have to do a clean install. To do that, enter BIOS ( Setup ) and set the first boot device as CD/ROM. Put your XP Disc in the drive and disconnect all external peripherals

Once you set your BIOS to boot first from cd . . restart and you will see a black screen with a prompt "Press any key to boot from CD" . . do that and you will be able to delete any or all partitions and recreate one or more, then proceed to formating and installing XP.

That message can pass quickly, so have a finger on the keyboard when you boot. This will delete all data on the drive so be sure you have your important data backed up. The prompt will appear after every reboot, but do not press any key on subsequent reboots. The setup process will continue with no action required from you.

If you do not get that message, and if you have another optical drive, try the XP CD in the other drive.

If you are installing on SATA drive, there is an additional step:

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how...ws_xp_on_a.htm

This is a site that walks you thru a simulated XP installation:
http://www.echoproject.net/en/software/catalog.html

These are good guides to reinstalling XP . . you might want to print one for reference during the install.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...p_sg_clean.asp
http://www.socrtwo.info/cleanxpinstall.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_..._-_graphic.htm

You will likely have to reload drivers You should be able to use the MCE drivers from the Toshiba support site. (If That model has "Notebook Management software, load that first, then the chipset, then the other drivers in any order.) and applications, Prior to connecting to the internet be sure you enable the XP firewall.

If you want to save your files and settings, you can use the XP Files and Settings Transfer (FAST) wizard to create an image of them and save to cd or other removable media. These are good guides to using the FAST wizard. Just be sure you have an up-to-date antivirus before you re-instate them!

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...xp_sg_fstw.asp
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm

For help entering BIOS: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Good luck . .

homerm07 · 02-23-2008, 08:47 AM

Alrighty thanks. That's too much to remember so I'm just going to print it ^_^ thanks a bunch for the time and help :)

**simpswr** · 02-23-2008, 09:06 AM

It looks more daunting than it really is . . looks like you can find drivers here

02-23-2008, 08:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
homerm07 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 25 OS: Vista	Toshiba A105 S2194 reformat question... I don't know if this is the right section for this question, sorry if it's not. I don't have the original recovery disks and the recovery partition isn't present on the Toshiba laptop in question. It's been infected with a virus and the whole PC is now slower than Vista, not literally but it is slow. The computer in question has Windows XP Media Center SP2 currently and I want to install a clean copy of XP Home SP2. I did manage to find a site that offers all Toshiba drivers so I'm going to go with that. I need to know what is the best choice or method to do this. I have a legal copy of XP still in it's wrapper. I just need to know how I go about with this and if it will have major impacts with the laptop later because of the install.

02-23-2008, 08:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 11,936 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Toshiba A105 S2194 reformat question... To downgrade to XP Home, you will have to do a clean install. To do that, enter BIOS ( Setup ) and set the first boot device as CD/ROM. Put your XP Disc in the drive and disconnect all external peripherals Once you set your BIOS to boot first from cd . . restart and you will see a black screen with a prompt "*Press any key to boot from CD" . . do that and you will be able to delete any or all partitions and recreate one or more, then proceed to formating and installing XP. That message can pass quickly, so have a finger on the keyboard when you boot. This will delete all data on the drive so be sure you have your important data backed up. The prompt will appear after every reboot, but do not press any key on subsequent reboots. The setup process will continue with no action required from you. If you do not get that message, and if you have another optical drive, try the XP CD in the other drive. If you are installing on SATA drive, there is an additional step: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how...ws_xp_on_a.htm This is a site that walks you thru a simulated XP installation: http://www.echoproject.net/en/software/catalog.html These are good guides to reinstalling XP . . you might want to print one for reference during the install. http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...p_sg_clean.asp http://www.socrtwo.info/cleanxpinstall.htm http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_..._-_graphic.htm You will likely have to reload drivers You should be able to use the MCE drivers from the Toshiba support site. (If That model has "Notebook Management software, load that first, then the chipset, then the other drivers in any order.) and applications, Prior to connecting to the internet be sure you enable the XP firewall. If you want to save your files and settings, you can use the XP Files and Settings Transfer (FAST) wizard to create an image of them and save to cd or other removable media. These are good guides to using the FAST wizard. Just be sure you have an up-to-date antivirus before you re-instate them! http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...xp_sg_fstw.asp http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm For help entering BIOS: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm Good luck . . __________________ Rich* MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

02-23-2008, 08:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
homerm07 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 25 OS: Vista	Re: Toshiba A105 S2194 reformat question... Alrighty thanks. That's too much to remember so I'm just going to print it ^_^ thanks a bunch for the time and help :) __________________ -Homer Knowledge is only as good as the teacher.

02-23-2008, 09:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 11,936 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Toshiba A105 S2194 reformat question... It looks more daunting than it really is . . looks like you can find drivers here __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?