how do you clean up a used computer and remove any and all the garbage that has been downloaded over time?

Question

I have the original recovery disk and also a external hard drive to remove any programs and files that will be put back on.

Answer 1

Most OS recovery disk have a feature section to complete erase, format and reinstall the original operating system. You will need to start the computer, go into the setup screen(s) and verify the computer is set and can boot from the CD. Put the CD in the drive and shut down computer. Restart the computer and let the computer boot to the CD. Select the total restore.
> If the original recovery disk you have does not have this feature, you will need to shut down to a DOS command. First off, type fdisk at the DOS prompt to verify you have an active partition on the hard drive. When the prompt appears, 'enable large disk support'. To perform a high-level format, and at the A: prompt, change to C: At the C: prompt, type in 'FORMAT C: /S /V' (without the ' ') Note the space between each entry. The first part of the command writes the hidden operating system files in the first pat of the partition and prompts for the entry of a volume label to the second part. If you omit the /s command, the computer will report back, "no operating system found". The volume label can be left blank. Then let the format process run which will take considerable time. This will remove all downloads and perserve the operating system files. Then running the recovery disk will re-install the operating system.
Good Luck.

Answer 2

Just re-start the computer with the recovery disk and follow the steps

Answer 3

reformat it you will need an OS cd
put the cd in restart the pc when prompted push any key to boot lfrom cd
then just follow all the prompts for a fresh installation
make sure when asked you delete the original partition
do not do the quick format and format it with ntfs
you will be prompted for all these things
that should do it
good luck

Answer 4

Best option is probably to format (erase) the disk and reinstall the operating system.