how to Format a laptop without cd drive?

maximilian2006 · 05-31-2008, 09:28 PM

I want to format my laptop, but the cd drive isn't working, it has been broken for a long time. I have the window xp cd. Is there anyway that I can format without cd drive?

chauffeur2 · 05-31-2008, 09:41 PM

Hello Max, Welcome to TSF!

Do you know what is actually wrong with the CD drive?
You could try this if it is not a physical damage issue...

There are a couple of ways that might help you with this issue.

Method One: Remove the registry entry

Warning: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system.

Please Note: If you had installed multiple CD-writing software products on your computer, you need to uninstall the software products before you remove the registry keys.

1. Click Start, and then click Run.

2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.

3. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}

4. On the File menu, click Export.

5. In the File name box, type savedkey, and then click Save.

6. Click the REG_MULTI_SZ data type UpperFilters, and then click Delete on the Edit menu. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.

Note: If this data type is missing, go to Method 2.

7. Click the REG_MULTI_SZ data type LowerFilters, and then click Delete on the Edit menu. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.

8. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

Method 2: Replace the existing driver

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. If Control Panel is in Category view, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.

If Control Panel is in Classic view, double-click System.

3. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.

4. Click the drive with the question mark (?) next to it.

5. On the Action menu, click Uninstall. When you are prompted to confirm the removal, click OK.

6. Repeat steps 4 through 5 for any other drives with question marks.

7. On the Action Menu, click Scan for hardware changes.

Close all windows and reboot the computer.

Please give these two methods a try and post back with the results.

Kind Regards,

maximilian2006 · 06-01-2008, 12:29 PM

First of all, thanks for what you wrote.
Second, my other laptop has virus, can't get into window. When I turn on, the blue screen appears. I need to format and reinstall window xp. unfornately, the dvd drive doesn't work, I think is physical damaged. I know there is a way to format a computer by using USB flash drive, but I tried, it doesn't work for me. I think I missed some steps or did wrong. If you do know how, please tell me in details.
Anyway, thanks for trying to help me.

05-31-2008, 09:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
maximilian2006 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP	how to Format a laptop without cd drive? I want to format my laptop, but the cd drive isn't working, it has been broken for a long time. I have the window xp cd. Is there anyway that I can format without cd drive?

05-31-2008, 09:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Re: how to Format a laptop without cd drive? Hello Max, Welcome to TSF! Do you know what is actually wrong with the CD drive? You could try this if it is not a physical damage issue... There are a couple of ways that might help you with this issue. Method One: Remove the registry entry Warning: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Please Note: If you had installed multiple CD-writing software products on your computer, you need to uninstall the software products before you remove the registry keys. 1. Click Start, and then click Run. 2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK. 3. Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Control/Class/{4d36e965-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318} 4. On the File menu, click Export. 5. In the File name box, type savedkey, and then click Save. 6. Click the REG_MULTI_SZ data type UpperFilters, and then click Delete on the Edit menu. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes. Note: If this data type is missing, go to Method 2. 7. Click the REG_MULTI_SZ data type LowerFilters, and then click Delete on the Edit menu. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes. 8. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer. Method 2: Replace the existing driver 1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. 2. If Control Panel is in Category view, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System. If Control Panel is in Classic view, double-click System. 3. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager. 4. Click the drive with the question mark (?) next to it. 5. On the Action menu, click Uninstall. When you are prompted to confirm the removal, click OK. 6. Repeat steps 4 through 5 for any other drives with question marks. 7. On the Action Menu, click Scan for hardware changes. Close all windows and reboot the computer. Please give these two methods a try and post back with the results. Kind Regards, __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

06-01-2008, 12:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
maximilian2006 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Re: how to Format a laptop without cd drive? First of all, thanks for what you wrote. Second, my other laptop has virus, can't get into window. When I turn on, the blue screen appears. I need to format and reinstall window xp. unfornately, the dvd drive doesn't work, I think is physical damaged. I know there is a way to format a computer by using USB flash drive, but I tried, it doesn't work for me. I think I missed some steps or did wrong. If you do know how, please tell me in details. Anyway, thanks for trying to help me.