How to erase my computer with out a restore disk.?

Question

I have a dell with windows XP, it came with Windows 2000. I have viruses on that computer so i just want to erase everything. I don't have a restore CD or anything. How can I erase the whole computer and what will I have to do after?

I tried doing what the first person said. It says that it failed after i try logging in after it restarts. So that wont' work.

I can't get online, there are too many pop-ups. How much does a restore CD cost?

Answer 1

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 accessory's
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 - restart THEN CHECK STATUS
choose destructive recovery as last resort you will have to look hard to find this option
i don"t know your computers options etc
BUT that's 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

after restore you need to make sure you have all windows updates

AUTOMATIC UPDATES FIREWALL ETC

go to start (in the blue bar)
control panel
security center
set up options
to do a manual check go here
http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

Answer 2

first option is to try installing a good and updates antivirus and anti spyware and scan your computer.

if not the only solution is to format your hard disk and reinstall the operating system.

before doing this check yourself that you have taken a back up of all important data that is needed.

ensure that you have operating system cd which is a bootable

just go to the command prompt 'Format C:\' and select yes

thats it .. after formating

boot your system with your bootable operating system cd and reinstall the entire operating system

now you have brand new operating system. If you have other softwares installled on it, you need to resintall them

thank you

PS: Do it at your own risk and before everything try the first option once

Answer 3

There are several programs that will turn your hard drive into nothing but zeros and ones. One of the best is made my Iolo. If you want a combination of software system mechanic 7 is their top of the line software. when you want to erase your hard drive just stick a floppy in your a drive or a CD in your CD burner and it will install a program on the floppy or CD.
Then all you have to do is activate the program and you can erase your hard drive.

Answer 4

You cannot erase ur computer without restore disk, all you need is to reinstalling windows or if you preffer u can install windows xp and get a new start..

Answer 5

Have tried to use a virus program on it first? Go To: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ They have a free Virus program you can use on line. You will have allow it to install a small about of code to scan your computer.

This would be they simplest thing to do first.

If you have the original disks that came with your computer you can use that to set your system back to factory status. If not, then you will need to buy an XP disk, while they are still available.

Answer 6

Click Start > Run > Type cmd > Click OK > Type format "driveletter": (Without the quotes, and please don't forget the colon.) For example -
format c:
Hit enter.
Type y, hit enter.

NOTE: If you erase your computer without a restore disc, you WILL NOT be able to re-install windows. To obtain another restore disc, contact your computer manufacturer.

Answer 7

relies upon how thoroughly you wipe the disk. regularly a restore set is on a diverse partition to C: regularly it relatively is the two hidden or is on a separate stress letter. So - wiping C: won't impression this.

Answer 8

Remove your primary hard drive ( the one with windows installed on it ) and then have it formatted by another computer unit.

That will solve your problem.

Hope this helps.

Answer 9

you may as well just format new with xp

Answer 10

reformat