How do you just delete everything on your hard drive, in preperation for a new OS?

Question

im deleteing windows, so i need to wipe out my hard drive, how do i do it?

Answer 1

It depends on what your present OS is. For eg if you are using a Win 98-2000 OS u will need to take the following steps: ( I am assuming you are using a PC instead of a Mac). I will list a number of processes.

The Hardest Process:

1. Make sure you have backed up your data because the process is irreversible.

2. Get yourself a bootable CD. And in this CD have disk utility software like PartitionMagic. pop in this cd before restarting.

3. During the boot go to BIOS and change the primary boot device to CD-ROM instead of HDD.

4.The PC will automatically restart and boot from the CD. It will be a black screen and it will give you options.Use the arrow keys to go to PartitionMagic / or any other disk utility that maybe present. Use this disk utility to dirst delete the partitions and then format the whole HDD. This deletes everything on ur HDD.

Your HDD is as good as new.

The Less Messier Process:

1. Make sure you have back up.

2. If you have a branded PC like HP, then you must be having recovery CD's. All you need to do is pop in the CD. Hit the recovery button.

3. Sit back.

4.Put your legs up.

5. Have a cup of tea.


The Linux Way. (UBUNTU )

1. Get yourself the backup.

2. Get yourself the UBUNTU CD, which is freely available from the website : http://www.ubuntu.com/

3. Pop in the CD

4. Follow steps 3- 5 above!

Answer 2

If you are in windows, and you want to Format your harddrive, the easiest way to do this is to put in your Windows CD-ROM, and Delete all of the partitions, then format a new partition.

Warning, this will completely erase your drive.

1) Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive

2) At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER

3) Press F8 to accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement.

4) If an existing Windows XP installation is detected, you are prompted to repair it. To bypass the repair, press ESC.

5) FOLLOW THIS STEP to delete exisiting partitions.

All the existing partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partition or the unpartitioned space where you want to create a new partition. Press D to delete an existing partition, or press C to create a new partition by using unpartitioned space. If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this step for each of the existing partitions that you want to use for the new partition. When all the partitions are deleted, select the remaining unpartitioned space, and then press C to create the new partition.

6) Type the size in megabytes (MB) that you want to use for the new partition, and then press ENTER, or just press ENTER to create the partition with the maximum size.

7) If you want to install Windows XP, use the ARROW keys to select the partition where you want to install Windows XP, and then press ENTER. If you do not want to format the partition and install Windows XP, press F3 two times to quit the Windows Setup program, and then do not follow the remaining steps. In this case, you must use a different utility to format the partition.

8) Select the format option that you want to use for the partition, and then press ENTER.

NOTE: I would Select "format the partition by using the NTFS file system" (not quick)

9) After the Windows Setup program formats the partition, follow the instructions that appear on the screen to continue. After the Windows Setup program is completed, you can use the Disk Management tools in Windows XP to create or format more partitions.

Answer 3

maximum laptops did not deliver with CD of operating device, instead they have a partition with the unique operating device photo. lookup your manufacturers internet web site and locate the most important mix which will elevate the reinstall to unique state decision. it frequently is hitting the F11 key or F12 or something alongside those strains for the period of boot up once you spot the manufacturers flash demonstrate merely earlier abode windows starts up. if you're actually not particular once you've this partition nevertheless accessible merely good click on "My computing gadget" and hit the "take care of" decision. Then click on Disk administration. If the photo partition is there it's going to be seen on the left aspect of Disk 0. it's going to be a minimum of round 4 gig or extra in length, even as a lot as round 9 gigs. it truly is often hidden from accepted viewing.

Answer 4

you do not need to delete anything separately, it you repartition and format , all data is automatically wiped out.

Answer 5

when you install your new OS, choose the option to format your drive.

Answer 6

You need a boot disk so you can run your computer wihtout your hardrive.

Answer 7

Fdisk then format.

Answer 8

reformat your hard drive dude...