some virus's infected my computer. i need to know how to wipe my hard drive so i can reinstall xp.
2007-03-19 12:44:05 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Try using this on it. ***WARNING THIS DELETES EVERYTHING***
2007-03-19 14:57:38 · answer #1 · answered by Jester 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Formatting does not overwrite the disk data. It may be possible to recover information off a formatted hard drive. If you want to erase all the data off your hard drive so it can not be recovered use one of the following. Then reformat and install your operating system.
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To securely overwrite the disk so no information, use one of these programs.
Visit your hard drive manufacturer's site. Per:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6142_102-0.html?forumID=5&threadID=194873&messageID=2115918
"You can find out the manufacturer of your HD and then attempt to download the formatting tool created by that manufacturer for their HD's. Most HD Mnufactuer have a Zero Fill Low level formatting tool available to erase their HD products. This will clean any existing OS files from your system as well as any viruses other files etc.."
Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) Free
http://www.download.com/Darik-s-Boot-and-Nuke/3000-2092_4-10165154.html
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=61951&package_id=58479&release_id=439240
DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.
WipeDrive by White Canyon $39.95
http://www.whitecanyon.com/
Completely wipe and erase all the information from a computer before selling or discarding it. WipeDrive makes it easy.
Active@ Kill Disk - Hard Drive Eraser (Free version/ $29.95 enhanced version)
http://www.killdisk.com/
Active@ KillDisk - Hard Drive Eraser is powerful and compact DOS software that allows you to destroy all data on hard and floppy drives completely, excluding any possibility of future recovery of deleted files and folders. It's a hard drive and partition eraser utility.
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2007-03-19 12:56:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if u have your original xp disk just put it in
then boot from disk and try to reinstall windows xp
once u get to the restallation part it will ask you do u want to reformat the hard drive then install windows xp choose that option and let it do what it do.
dont forget your gonna need your activation key
2007-03-19 12:56:49 · answer #3 · answered by oxjohndoexo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should always wipe from front to rear, to avoid those types of infections...
2007-03-19 12:52:02 · answer #4 · answered by kelannde 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find out the manufacturer of your hard drive & use their instalation disc.
2007-03-19 12:48:57 · answer #5 · answered by angel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313348
follow the microsoft guide before re-installing
in step 11 choose:
Format the partition by using the NTFS file system
2007-03-19 12:56:57 · answer #6 · answered by Excon X 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take drive.
Place drive in close proximity to neodymium-boron magnet.
Lather.
Rinse.
Repeat.
2007-03-19 12:51:05 · answer #7 · answered by robinbatteau 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DBAN!
2007-03-19 13:02:38 · answer #8 · answered by Die Hard Patriot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋