how can i clean my hard drive completely and reinstall an operating system?

Question

my old computers hard drive is full of viruses and i want to completely clean it and reinstall windows, again any suggestions?

Answer 1

Go to Ms Dos.There you should click
Format C:

It will delete everything on your hard drive.

Also you can run a virus scan.Try AVG.It's free.
Also you can clean more files with CC Cleaner or Tune up Utilities.

Answer 2

Is this a re-installation of XP?
if so, just boot from the disk and follow the instructions, and press 'r' to repair when advised.

If this is an older machine say Windows 98 or a clean copy of XP then:


Enter BIOS and make sure the CD Rom drive is the first boot device
Boot from the CD when prompted.
Allow the setup to 'run through' the files
There should be a license agreement here, which you have to press F8 to agree and to continue with the installation.
Now you will reach a setup screen
(it will scan for versions of windows already installed between these 2 points.)
In the setup screen, you have 3 options.

Install windows (Re-install may be there depending on the integrity of the installation, and the version of windows)
Delete Partition
And Quit

If The partition is deleted, then it needs to be re-formatted, choose your file format carefully, if its win98 then FAT32 is the way to go, if its Vista or XP then i advise NTFS.

after all of this, just sit back and wait, and follow the instructions when provided

=]
Good Luck

Answer 3

1.use the Bootcd (use Hirent's Boot and Ultraiso at www.9down.com to make the cd boot ).
2. Buy the CD Windows xp service pack 2 include the CDKEY from the Microsoft.(ask Microsoft if you don't have one)
3 . Now reboot your computer and Press Del key(some time is F2,F9..Ctrl+Enter) to go to the Bios and Cmos setup page !
Looking for the Boot and range :first boot is CD, 2 is HDD .
4.use the BootCd (make in step 1), and use the Dos to format the C (be care if you only have C only your data will lost).after that step5
5. restart your computer and use the Window Xp Disk ! press enter to setup and do step by step follow the questions from Microsoft( remember if Microsoft ask the Where to setup the Window XP let's choose C: and format again in NTFS ! it's good in security!)
GOOD luck to you! Be care if your C have a important data!
If you want help! mail here: [e-mail]

Answer 4

Yes and no , yes because it will eliminate all data in a sence that if a virus or other problematic sofware is mark for deletion and won't be available, no because is still remain in the drive but is marked for deletion so when you re install the OS most of it is overwriten and as you put more data in to it will overwrite it , when is marked for deletion it means that the space where that data is is available to write on it , but if your consern if that someone can retrieve something that was deleted than you need a program to clean any data that was deleted ,the program cleans it by overwriting on it with 01010101 binary code anywhere from 3 to 7 times so it makes it pratically imposible to recover

Answer 5

try destructive recovery

f 8

computers what a world
i would try
1 - turn on monitor
2 - turn on computer
3 - constantly tap f8 - located at top of your key board
4 - when new screen comes up - use up and down arrows on your key board
to high light safe mode last know good configuration etc
5 hit enter on key board
5 - windows should start or it will give options on how to start windows



system restore


1- click start at bottom of screen
2 - then click choose all programs
3 - then click pc help tools or could be in accessorys
4 - then click on system restore
5 - then click on restore to an earlier date or factory settings
6 - choose a date when it was working - or factory settings
7 - let it run it may take a while - follow directions - if any
8 - if does not work - restart THEN CHECK STATUS
choose destructive recovery as last resort you will have to look hard to find this option
BUT thats what it took to restore mine to get settings i wanted etc
BACK UP IMPORTANT THINGS TO CD NO MATTER WHAT OPTION(S) YOU CHOOSE

Answer 6

Which windows? They all install a little differently, and there are different processes for preparing the hard drive for each.

Answer 7

Put in the boot disk and choose install. It will delete everything and only install what your computer came with. If you do not have the boot disk, call around to computer shops or check with your friends.

Answer 8

when you reinstall windows, there is a option to format disc, dont use the quick format/ use the regular one! this will take longer but will erase and write over all old info..

Answer 9

1 do create backup.
2. reboot you computer with CD as primary boot device
3, let Windows do the rest

Answer 10

Use your Windows cd and formatting it.