How do I format my harddrive? I have a virus on my computer and I cant get rid of it?

Question

I am running windows xp. I I want to reformat the harddrive so my computer can be like when I first bought it.

Answer 1

ah you can use anti-virus to scan ur pc ..but if virus is in ur system folder then only u need to format ..try windows xp cd n change ur boot device from bios n then install xp with formating c: partition ..

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Answer 2

If your computer came with a CD or DVD called Restore or Reinstall just insert it in the drive, restart the computer and follow the prompts, voila!

If not then you might just do the same with your original XP CD, a few more steps and one of them is to remove the current partition, re-create it and format it.

With this last method write down your hardware information prior to formatting so you can download the drivers afterwards.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Get a Windows 95 or 98 startup disk and format from that. If you let XP format it will tell you that it is doing so but it does not; it leaves a lot of garbage on you disk and will cause you no end of problems.

Answer 4

formatting your hard drive is easy. but you have to make sure you back up all your important files ( or any other files you know are clean from viruses ). to back up, just get an external hard drive, which shouldn't cost you that much. another way is to transfer the files into another computer. but you have to be careful here. because if you transfer the file with the virus, you're gonna infect the other system as well. once you're happy with the back ups, then just right click on your hard drive file (usually the C: drive) and just choose the format option from the drop down menu. remember to back up all your important documents first!

Answer 5

take it a step further than formatting. Wipe your drive.

Check for details and program here:

http://dban.sourceforge.net