How to I wipe my harddrives and set them back up to work?

Question

I am not a computer expert, however I am willing to follow precise instructions. I need to wipe my computer and set up the windows XP on it again. Nothing is working and I need my clunker to work.

Answer 1

system restore

first RIGHT click on my computer
choose properties
then on system restore
MAKE SURE (system restore is checked)
you can also delete last restore
just click undo last restoration when you do the things below
then close that window
then
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 may have to look hard to find this option
on mine i went to compact system recovery
that was under pc help tools and also in accessory's


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
i suggest automatic updates
to do a manual check go here
http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

WITH CD ETC
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Answer 2

You can use a complete and very good tutorial here:

http://lifehacker.com/software/windows/geek-to-live-how-to-format-your-hard-drive-and-install-windows-xp-from-scratch-157578.php