Setting up Windows on an extremely old computer can be challenging, but possible with the right tools and patience.
Setting up Windows on an extremely old computer can be challenging, but possible with the right tools and patience.
Hello, my stepdad has an old computer he’s trying to sell. The hard drives are still PATA, not SATA. I helped him by using a PATA-to-SATA adapter from a friend so the drive could work as an external one and I formatted it that way. Since both of us couldn’t get the PC to boot from DVD—even after changing the first boot settings—I’m stuck. Now he wants to install Windows, but we can’t boot from DVD or USB either. We’re running out of ideas. Anyone willing to help would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance, Robijntje.
Just in case there are any sensitive data on that drive your father wants kept private, you might want to reconsider selling it. Formatting won't erase everything; some information can still be recovered. Think carefully before proceeding with the sale. EDIT: Regarding installing Windows, I'm uncertain but from past experiences on older systems, there was usually an option to select a boot device via the boot menu—often labeled F8 or similar. Try booting into your computer and checking the boot screen on your motherboard. Enter BIOS using Shift, F10, etc., and look for a boot selector. This will let you choose between a DVD drive or USB if available. That seems to be the usual process. EDIT 2: I found guidance on Lifehacker that explains this method in detail. Follow their steps and you should be able to select the correct boot source before installation. The next restart will use the default setting, so repeat the process if needed during Windows setup.
Repeatedly writing to the hard drive using 1/0 signals causes permanent data loss. USAs Gutmans format with 35 passes completely erases all information, making recovery impossible. Typically, 3 to 6 passes render the data so damaged that no available software can restore it.
I understand, but standard HDD formats won't help much (free tools can usually fix everything). However, using Peter Gutmann's secure deletion method should work well.
The system powers down and waits for a reset. You switch to the boot menu, selecting either a priority list or a device choice.
Attempting again, but I believe I've tried before. Please inform me of the outcome.
Updated the BIOS boot settings and possibly adjusted the boot menu. To install an OS without a connected hard drive, you may need to use a USB drive or bootable media.