I want to wipe my computer of everything. There are read only files that wont delete or cut and i want to just wipe it all off? is it easy? i have put everything on to a disk. but now what? do i go to control panel and theres a program that deletes it all ? its a laptop. x
2006-07-28 01:34:20 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
The answer is VERY CAREFULLY! If you format your hard drive, absolutely everything will be deleted, including your operation system This means you will have to reinstal the operating system, so make sure you have the disks that came with the laptop before you proceed. And I warn you that this is not a job for an amateur. If you decide to proceed, for Windows right click on the start button, click "explore", go to the con for your C drive, right click on that and click "Format". You will get a zillion warning messages - do be careful.
2006-07-28 01:44:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
There are some important files in windows that are needed for windows and some programs to run properly and these are protected as read only files. So you cant delete these.
But if you are planning to re-install a fresh copy of windows, then you need to format the entire hard-disk (wipe everything).
In that case download a tool called partition magic. This is easy to use and will help you to wipe you PC so you can re-install windows.
Be sure to have all the necessary driver disks handy before you do that.
If this is to complicated for you, then take the computer to a qualified technician or your friendly neighborhood geek.
2006-07-28 01:54:28 · answer #2 · answered by byam64 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there are files that wont delete and you know that it will not corrupt windows or any programs, try going into safe mode (F8) and deleting it in there. Only Windows OS components are loaded, nothing else.
If you want to go ahead and wipe your disk, I have some instructions that I use on my desktop.
To wipe your laptop, make sure you have a restore disk or XP installation disk. Set your BIOS to boot from CD first (or floppy if the floppy redirects to CD), then Floppy Disk, then Hard Disk.
Insert CD and boot it. If it is a recovery disk, there should be an option to wipe disk and reinstall everything that was on it when you got your laptop. If it is the XP OEM disk, boot that, then when it comes to installing the OS onto disk, you then delete the partion, recreate a partion (may get more disk space in some cases) and then Windows will re-install itself. Doing that though means you have to install everything back on it yourself. Including drivers for certain hardware. Also with partioning the disk, it is sometimes risky, so be careful.
2006-07-28 02:44:29 · answer #3 · answered by mattribbins 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they real way to clear out a computer (reformat) also includes ridding of windows operating system.
To do this, you will need your Windows CD.
- Insert Windows CD in CD rom
- Shut down your computer
- When it reboots it should ask you if you want to start windows installation. If it doesn't, you need to edit your BIOS. To get to BIOS, you have to push DELETE at the first or second boot-up screen. Once you get in BIOS find where it says "Select Boot Device Order" or something of that nature. Move "Boot from CD-ROM" to the top of the list. This means it will read the CD-ROM before loading windows.
- Then you should see the screen telling you windows will begin installing.
- You will get to a screen that shows you partitions. You want to delete the partition that is there and create a new one (this is where the actual deleting will occur). It will ask how you want to format it (NTFS quick, NTFS normal, etc) just leave it on the default.
- After that you select the new partition you created to install windows on. And basically just follow the on screen directions from there.
For more detailed instructions, or if you are installing something other than Windows Xp, see the link below.
2006-07-28 01:46:45 · answer #4 · answered by jugglaman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
repartition your hard drive, you'll need a system disk (floppy) check microsoft help to create this, the disk should also have the format and fdisk applications on it. Reboot your pc with the floppy in its drive (making sure your pc boots from a:). type fdisk and follow the instructions, large drive support etc..
2006-07-28 06:50:23 · answer #5 · answered by sammy_v_snake 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, don't listen to anyone that tells you that reformatting your hard drive completely erases everything.
Use an application that is specifically made for erasing hard drives like Webroot System Eraser.
Anyhow, what is it you want to delete so bad? Hmmmmmmm?
2006-07-28 16:53:38 · answer #6 · answered by badnervesjones 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im no computer whizz but its not as simple as that if your going to wipe everything off your pc n start again u need to make sure u have the disks to reinstall windows n drivers etc
2006-07-28 01:39:07 · answer #7 · answered by dick19532003 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want you can open command prompt and type erase (here goes the alphabetic number of your hard drive). Or go to my computer press right mouse key on the hard drive icon and press Format.
2006-07-28 01:38:52 · answer #8 · answered by marlon_bakic 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Format your hard drive via the properties. Remember, if your doing this, your gonna have no window left! Windows is stored in a seperate folder on the HD - just be careful as once it gone, its gone
2006-07-28 03:12:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Format your hard disk. Everything goes.
2006-07-28 01:37:42 · answer #10 · answered by Indian_Male 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋