I have a four year old gateway with Windows XP(I don't know if that info matters), and I want to wipe it completly clean-nothing left on it. I've already back up all of my files to c.d.'s... can someone tell me where I would even begin?
2006-08-14 22:00:56 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
Replace your Hard Drive, it's not that expensive, and you will be on a clean slate.
2006-08-14 22:06:40 · answer #1 · answered by Excel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quite simple
1. Check in your bios for your first booting device a floopy or cd rom
2. Insert boot disk (either cd or floppy)
3. Key in the command on landing at prompt as
format c: /s
4. This will wipe out the c drive
5. same steps except for /s can be used on other drives.
6. If you want fdisk also to be used come back to me i will furnish further details on that.
All the best
2006-08-14 22:07:14 · answer #2 · answered by yourseverlasting 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Boot the computer with the XP disc in. Choose to boot from CD. Follow the onscreen prompts to reinstall Windows and you will eventually get to an option to format the hard drive.
2006-08-14 22:07:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually, repartitioning and reformatting will do the job. But if you're really paranoid about this, then the best way is to really low-level format the drive, writing 1's and 0's into the harddisk. Get this software called Wipedrive.
If you want to destroy the harddisk, then find a degausser.
2006-08-14 22:14:40 · answer #4 · answered by mr_mayat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FORMAT
Wht u'll need is a boot up disk of ur required OS and boot frm the CD , and while u get into setup delete the partitons and then clean install over it
i remeber the key sequence for XP
Enter -> F8 -> ESC -> D ( choose the Larger disk size partition -> L ( will delete partion ) -> Enter ( will install fresh copy ) be careful which partition ur installlin on !
kudos
akshay
2006-08-14 22:03:23 · answer #5 · answered by akshay_m_2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure, but I think you'd have to completely RESTORE it with your Windows XP recovery disks. That would wipe out any software, too, though. That is the only way to delete your registry, where everything gets imprinted.
Cute avatar!
2006-08-14 22:05:20 · answer #6 · answered by Sleek 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a full format might help...there are also file shredders out there, and some programs to create destructive boot disks (which will effectively delete everything on your disk)...if you're keeping it and want to start from scratch, just reinstall windows...if you want it to, it will format before installing...otherwise, I'd have to stick with formatting (which will also render the computer useless, without an operating system installed)...
2006-08-14 22:06:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i decide directly to propose CCleaner, between the main suitable cleaners available, which will for a certainty velocity up ur gadget. then additionally do a disk defrag which helps velocity it up too. nicely you may consistently replica the archives you need to an exterior problematicchronic or flashchronic or cd or dvd. then in case you have the re-installation disk you may attempt that. attempt unfastened anti virus like AVG or avast too. in case you opt to erase each and every thing and start up over Dariks Boot and Nuke will erase each and every thing
2016-09-29 07:06:58 · answer #8 · answered by vishvanath 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Format.
Or use the option that XP gives you provided that you still have the disk. From there out it pretty much shows itself.
2006-08-14 22:04:41 · answer #9 · answered by groovusy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make or use a startup disk, put in that disk before you start your computer, type format c: to format your hard drive.
2006-08-14 22:11:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋