wipe and reload?

Question

Does anyone know a good site I can use to get step by step instructions on how to wipe and reload my computer. I have a 2year old Dell desk top. This will be a learning experience and may end up costing more in the end (need it fixed by professionals) However, I would like to try myself. Any tips would be great. I have saved all the documents that I want to save. Does a wipe remove all the Dell componets like the drivers? do I need to save these on a disk? thank you

Answer 1

I believe you are looking for instructions - not advice. I do admire your courage in taking this on.
Try this page for step by step instructions: http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/clean1.html
Good luck!

Answer 2

Your simplest choice is to use Dell's restore disc. It does all the work for your in a fourth of the time.
If you don't have one, they will mail one to you. If a restore disc is not an option for you then doing the work yourself is the best option. It is always the best option, but not ever the easiest option. You SHOULD try to do it yourself because your data is already saved elsewhere. If you can't make it to the finish line then THAT is when you can pay the pro's to do it. But to ask for a place that has all the info you need in one spot is futile. It doesn't exist. Each user's steps are unique. It will take hours to do this by a pro (2hrs or so) if done with care. I actually enjoy doing it. The system will run so much more efficiently when it is finished.

Answer 3

It sounds like you want to reinstall Windows. Reinstalling Windows will reformat your hard drive, essentially erasing your hard drive. Before you do anything, be sure you have the Windows Installation CD that came with your computer. You won't be able to reinstall without it. As for the drivers and other Dell components, they should also be on the installation CD. Most computer makers don't include a full Windows Installation CD; instead, they provide a Windows Recovery CD. With recovery CD's, once you have reinstalled Windows, it will also install all those ugly trial software and other advertisement. There is very little you can do about it. But, be aware that you will lose all Windows updates that you installed. About 2 months ago, I reinstalled Windows on my computer and had to download 60+ security patches, more if you have to install service pack 2 (SP2).

Lincoln Spector, of PC World Magazine, has a great article on how to reinstall Windows. It is one of the more straightforward articles with easy instructions. He also has created free batch files (i.e. very small and simple programs) to save your current drivers so you don't have to download them again. Here is the link. If you have any question, just drop me an e-mail. I've reinstalled Windows XP 4x since I bought it.

"Windows Rejuvenated
Is your aging Windows machine slowing down? Getting creaky? Just plain showing its age? Here's how to make it work the way it did fresh out of the box." -- written by Lincoln Spector, pcworld.com. (http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,119266-page,3/article.html#).

Answer 4

Download and run Belarc advisor, then save the report to removable media. Go to the Dell site and download all of the drivers for your components, save them to removable media. Boot from the XP disk and perform a new installation, delete existing partitions and create new. Once the OS is loaded, install th drivers you downloaded.

Answer 5

You say wipe - I'm assuming you mean format and do a clean install.

After you install, your computer will have an empty hard drive -- no operating system, no programs, files, drivers, etc. etc. -- for this reason, you had better be darn sure you have all CDs and that they are legitimate.

To format:
Open My Computer
Right-click on C and in the submenu you will see "format"
Once you click this there is no recourse but to install Windows and everything else.

Answer 6

Yoo need the recovery disc, that will reinstall only the programs that were there to begin with.

Answer 7

please visit www.support.dell.com and also you can try this website www.windowsreinstall.com