Reformat

Note: These instructions are designed to help students living on-campus at the University of Northern Iowa. If you find them beneficial, feel free to use them, but no support will be able to be provided unless you live on-campus at UNI.

Windows 8 does not use the reformat method seen in previous forms of Windows. The reformat method is replaced with a reset option. This does not uninstall Windows, but instead returns to a factory fresh state. 

Make sure that you have your Windows XP CD and Windows XP Product key, which is usually located with the disk package or on the computer case. Also gather any driver disks that came with your computer or other hardware you installed, and the disks for any programs you want re-installed. If you do not have a Windows XP CD, you may purchase one at UNI, or you may need to contact your system manufacturer.

Make sure that you have your Windows CD, your Windows Product key (usually located with the disk package or on the computer case), any driver disks that came with your computer or other hardware you installed, and the disks for any programs you want re-installed. If you do not have a Windows CD, you may purchase one at UNI, or you may need to contact your system manufacturer.

Note: Make sure you have your OS X CD, your product key--which is usually located with the disk package--, any driver disks or other hardware that came with your computer, and the disks for any programs you want re-installed. If you do not have an OS X CD, you may purchase one from Apple.

How To Reformat

1. Insert the Mac OS X Install Disc and double-click the Install Mac OS X icon.