my daughter picked up a virus and I want to know if i can wipe the hard drive totally clean and load xp
2007-02-10 05:46:38 · 9 answers · asked by carycanuck 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Sure you can use a system recovery disk or operating system disk to reload the OS. During installion it may come up and say that you already have the OS on the computer, delete that and continue with the installation. It is also important to remember if you do this all information on the hard drive partition will be lost. If she has anything currently which she will want to keep it is best to burn those files to disk. Also be aware of what you put on the disk, you don't want the infecting file being attached to it either.
2007-02-10 05:52:21 · answer #1 · answered by prmaples 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have asked the right person here... I seem to attract viruses like no one else !!! I became an expert at re-loading my XP-Pro operating system. So the answer is THE BEST WAY to have a sweet running PC is to wipe the HDD clean and re-install the OS. I have had to do that about 5 times in the last 12 months ! It takes only an hour to do. What I have done is install a SECOND HDD named F: and any virus seem to affect only the C: drive. I now have a 40GB HDD (C:) and another 250GB (F:). The F: drive is never affected by viruses. --- Re-installing the OS wipes the slate clean !!
2007-02-10 06:07:35 · answer #2 · answered by RED-CHROME 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Should be able to providing you have an installation disk for XP and don't want to keep the data currently on the hard drive. Just use something like partition magic to reformat the drive. And then install XP.
2007-02-10 05:52:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shouldn't matter that it is an OE drive, although some manufacturers may do some sort of check on the machine if you are using recovery disks.
If you have a copy of the OS, you should be fine. Backup your data, after scanning it for viruses, etc.
Good luck!
2007-02-10 05:55:38 · answer #4 · answered by Joe K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't understand Dell's Disks, per chance you need to ring them. For the internet you want an operating equipment and browser application (domicile windows comes with internet Explorer), a modem and a cable connection to the phone line(or instantaneous connection). then you quite use the administration panel to attach with the internet. This connects you on your service service and once you signal in with them they connect you to the internet. they must be maximum waiting that can help you because they stand to make money out of the relationship. Ring them and they are going to communicate you through it.
2016-12-04 00:13:18 · answer #5 · answered by england 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you can do but it may not be necessary simply install and run an antivirus program there are free ones available from avast.com and grisoft.com's avg
2007-02-10 05:52:50 · answer #6 · answered by cool_clearwater 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, just make sure you know what you're doing 100% before you begin!
2007-02-10 05:52:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you totally can.
2007-02-10 05:52:47 · answer #8 · answered by Bamba 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can.
Format and install new operating system.
2007-02-10 05:54:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋