What is the proper way to wipe my hard drive completely clean?I have windows XP?

Answer 1

Disconnect from Internet.
Start install with Windows Install CD. During install, delete all partitions, and create two partitions. Complete installation.
reinstall motherboard drivers & utilities. Install all other software and hardware drivers. Install firewall and anti virus.
Reconnect to internet, go to www.microsoft.com, Update.
Let that WEB site update you computer with all patches and security updates.

Check all of your hardware WEB sites for new driver updates.
BACK UP C: drive to DVD or CD. You want a drive image.

Computer Help Page

http://www.diskgenius.com/

http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm

http://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html

http://www.disk-image.net/products.htm

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

http://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html

http://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html

http://www.theosfiles.com/

http://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw

http://www.winternals.com/

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp

http://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm
Visit our Helpdesk for PC Bug Doctor
http://www.maximumsoftwaresupport.com
PC Beginner software
http://www.pchell.com/support/limitedconnectivity.shtml
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
http://www.bootdisk.com/utility.htm
Chapter 1: Purchasing Components
Chapter 2: Component Overview
Chapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard
Chapter 4: Installing The Mainboard In The Case
Chapter 5: Installing Drives
Chapter 6: Connecting Components
Chapter 7: Installing AGP and PCI Cards
Chapter 8: Testing the System and Completing Assembly
Chapter 9: Installing Windows XP
Chapter 10: Configuring Windows XP
Chapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System (Linux And Windows XP)
Chapter 12: Home Video -- “So, You Want to Be the Next Steven Spielberg?”
Chapter 13: What’s Next?

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com

BUILD YOU OWN COMPUTER:
www.directron.com
www.newegg.com
www.monarchcomputers.com

Answer 2

You don't have to wipe out your hard drive to install windows xp 2000. Just uninstall what ever you have currently(windows 98 etc.), and then install windows xp. ( click control panel - click add remove programs - click remove (whatever your current windows program) - install xp disk and follow prompts). Some computers (older ones) will not accept xp. Be sure of your computer before you remove your current windows. Also the internet connection, or display of web page, has little to do with the type of windows you are using. Sometimes other internet culprits are the problem with web page access - spyware, viruses... Most of the time the site is merely overloaded. The internet provider could also be experiencing problems. I deserve that thumbs down, but I'm not so sure some of the other suggestions do. A clean new install will wipe out your hard drive, so back up is essential.

Answer 3

Do you have the software to re-install windows XP and all of your applications?

How big is your hard drive?

The first step would be to fdisk.
Then use a boot disk to re-initialize the hard drive.
Then use a commercial program to re-partition/re-format the hard drive.
Then re-install your OS (Windows XP)
Then re-install all of your applications.

Are you talking about possible law-enforcement involvement here?

Computer forensics is a fairly new law enforcement science.
But it has come a long way in a short time.

It is very hard to wipe a drive so that absolutely no data can be retrieved. I've never really tried this.

I guess a delete/re-initialize/re-partition/re-format/re-install about 10 times would work, but ONLY if you completely fill the disk with data each time.
This would take a lot of time. Especially on a large disk.

Answer 4

Put a magnet on it. The data will be erased but the drive could be destroyed.Or just use a windows 98 boot disk and erase the partition windows is on.

Answer 5

you need to buy a wipe program or just destory the drive if the program is worth more than the drive you can still recover stuff from formated drives you need a wipe program it writes 1 then 0 over and over till there is no recoverable items on the drive

Answer 6

there can be number of ways doing this first can be take the backup of all your data in another harddisk or CD/DVD then format all the partitions and install the windows from a CD.

other way if you do not have any mechanism to take a backup, just put all you in one of your partition D or E, then format windows directory partition also remove "Program files" and "Documents and Settings" folder in any other partition. then run the windows from CD

Answer 7

if you have a floppy disk .... create a "boot" disc preferably from an older 98 build and when it boots ....
type FDISK and delete any and all partitions ... the command will be "delete all non DOS partitions" when it has done that ... Format C:
You will completely wipe your hard-drive

Answer 8

I can give you a link that deals with hard drive problems.
Some hard drive problems can be easily fixed yourself by using easily available tools. I found the info at http://fixit.in useful

Answer 9

take a heavy sledge hammer to your hard drive --- a few good whack should have it opened up and the guts flying out. Then your home free.