How do I erase my computer completely and start over new?

Question

I have an old computer that has Windows ME on it. I want to completely erase everything on it and start over with something like Windows XP or something. I was given the computer and it had other programs on it and documents, so I don't want anything left on it. I want the end result to be as though I bought it new from the store. How do I do this and what programs do I need to do this with.

Answer 1

hardware formatting requires some utilities such as seagate disk manager. you can try to get these from the internet.

Answer 2

Best way to me would be to get an operating system CD (Windows XP/ Vista; whatever you prefer). If you already have one, great; but if you don't, Windows XP cost about $100. If you bought the computer from a store or something to that matter, it should have come with a Operating system CD with the liscense number tagged onto your computer or the cd case. My parents' computer had the liscense number tag for the Operating System on a sticker on top of the computer. All you have to do now is save any information you want to keep off your computer onto a CD or floppy disk. Then put the Windows CD (or whatever Operating system you have) into the disc drive. If it starts up the program automatically, close it. Since you want to erase the hard drive and start over do it this way. Shut down the computer and start it back up. During the initial black screen it should say something along the line of "Press F8 to boot CD" or something referring to the operating system CD. Press the button it tells you to and it should start. Just follow the directions as it asks pretty simple questions. I don't know the exact phrases it uses but when you get to the part where it asks if you want to delete your hard drive completely or just restore it, DELETE everything. That way your starting off fresh. Then it will ask if you want the hard drive formatted in FAT or NTFS. You want NTFS as its the better option. If this sounds complicated don't worry, it's pretty simple once you get started. Once your done it will bring you to your new, fresh, and empty desktop! Remember to install any drivers you had though, such as sound card or video card drivers! I've done this a few times to my computer just to refresh it and get anything off I never use anymore. In fact it's probably due for another. Good luck!

Answer 3

Boot from a cd with windows Xp and install it. When it prompt to format you choose yes in NTFS mode.takes a little while but worth it. also you might need more memory (upgrade). ntfs is better the fat file. also read the box on the windows and see if your computer can handle this .windows 98 was like that always locking up but with windows xp no problem at all

Answer 4

If you want Windows XP you should first make sure that the computer is capable of running XP effectively.

Here are the system requirements for XP:
Minimum:
233 MHz CPU *
64 MB of RAM (may limit performance and some features) *
1.5 GB of available hard disk space *
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Recommended:
300 MHz CPU *
128 MB of RAM *
1.5 GB of available hard disk space *
Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter with at least 8 MB of video RAM and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Network adapter
Sound card and speakers
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

If it is indeed capable then you'll need to buy a copy of Windows XP. If not then you'll need to reinstall Windows ME or upgrade the hardware to run with XP.

Here is a link to format your computer when you're ready to do so:
http://www.webtechgeek.com/How-to-Format-a-Hard-Drive.htm

Answer 5

First download a windows 98 boot disk from www.bootdisk.com
make a bootdisk with this
Then download killdisk from www.killdisk.com
make killdisk bootable (if it isn't already, I can't remember)
place in the A: drive and start the computer
follow the instructions, and this will completely wipe your hard drive of all information.
turn off the computer, and put in the win 98 boot disk.
when loaded, type format C:
when finished formatting, place the win xp disk in the cd drive, and you should be good from there. This is all assuming you can boot to a cd drive.

Answer 6

Look at the specs Tim L gave you, except the minimum required RAM is 128 and not 64 as he stated. You also need way more than 1.5GB hard drive space, 2GB should be minimum. 5 GB if you will be installing lots of programs. Rule of thumb for XP you should have a minimum 40 GB hard drive. If you are storing music and movies on it, 120GB minimum.

If the computer doesn't have at least a 333MHz processor, 256MB RAM and a 40 GB Hard drive, I would reinstall ME. I know that sucks, but at least ME was made to run on less resources. XP will be a dog with anything less than that.

Answer 7

In all likelihood, the computer won't even run XP and, if it does, it will probably be deadly slow. You might try Windows 2000. It takes less hardware to run. I don't know where you would get a copy of it either. I wouldn't bother putting ME back on. It is a dud. It is possibly the worst operating system of all time.

Answer 8

Boot from a cd with windows Xp and install it. When it prompt to format you choose yes in NTFS mode.

Answer 9

Take it to the store and they will clean if of everything and start it afresh with Windows XP and programmes etc.

Answer 10

just pop in the win xp cd and install it...just make sure u hardware can take windows xp

Answer 11

reinstall windows using windows XP