Is it bad for the computer to reformat the hard drive? And does it really get all the spyware and viruses out.

Question

i have a Dell laptop and have had a problem with spyware and compatiblity issues with Vista. If i reformat the harddrive, that will not damage the computer? right?

Answer 1

yes reformating ur hard drive gets everything and nothing is left not even your drivers just ur operating system for urs instnace only vista will be on ur hard drive. and no ur hard drive will not be damage in any way.

Answer 2

The physical process of reformatting a hard drive is not destructive. However, as others have mentioned, EVERYTHING will need to be reinstalled which can be a real pain. Laptops often have proprietary motherboard and other hardware drivers. If Vista was the system on it when you got it, I'm going to guess your compatibility issues where with programs you loaded. This kind of problem can usually be fixed by going to that programs website and getting the Vista patch.
As far as spyware and viruses, in today's Internet environment you need to either buy virus protection software like McAfee or Norton or download AVG which is free. You also need to have a firewall enabled. Get it, scan your system, maybe more than once and ask for more help if you need it.
I would look at reformatting as the last straw, re-installation and reconfiguring can get pretty complicated, especially with Vista.

Answer 3

Before you reformat the hard drive, do you have a Windows Installation Disk to put Windows back onto the computer?
When you format a drive, it wipes EVERYTHING including the operating system (windows vista).

If you need it, I can give you a link to a torrent site where you can download Windows XP for free - it contains no viruses and works exactly like a genuine copy, even passing "Windows Genuine Advantage". I don't think it's unreasonable to use a pirated copy of XP when you have paid good money for Vista and it doesn't work - maybe Microsoft should include an option to downgrade to XP with their Vista packs.

Alternatively, you could download a free Linux Operating System instead of Windows; Ubuntu is very good but you'll need W.I.N.E to make it run software written for Windows

There are a few viruses that can infect Flash BIOS (on the motherboard) but they are very rare and you are highly unlikely to encounter them; so yes, formatting the hard drive will remove all viruses and spyware. Just remember that you will be left with an empty hard drive - it's exactly the same as a blank CD or DVD.

What kind of spyware problems do you have? I find that Spybot Search&Destroy fixes most problems (it's freeware).

Answer 4

You better be sure you have your OS disks handy and everything else you need to get it up and running again. Pre-built computers sometimes come with OEM software which isn't as easy to reinstall as a brand new copy... although I don't remember why.

Reformatting a drive will basically erase everything on that drive and leave no way to retrieve it. Unless you have a second drive that could contain infected files then I seriously doubt that you will have the same spyware unless you got the spyware from something you plan on installing again. Reformatting a drive does not by default cause any damage to it or any related components. Hard drives tend to wear out over time regardless, although that is much less a problem in todays age as opposed to 10 years ago.

Answer 5

No it isn't bad for the computer to reformat the hard drive and it does get rid of all the spyware and viruses but it will delete everything on your hard drive. You will have to back up your important files and reinstall your OS and programs again.

Answer 6

You won't hurt your pc, but it WILL wipe off all your files, documents, favorites, etc.!!! Make sure you copy all your important stuff first (cd's are the best for this).

If you reformat the drive, it wipes off everything (99.999% of the time).

But you might not need to go through all this trouble. Make sure your virus scanner is up to date and scan your drive. Also run the free web-based scanner at http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/free_security_tools/housecall_free_scan.php for a double-check that your pc is virus free.

Then install and run Microsoft Defender (a free anti-spyware program).

Then run the IOBIT free optimizer program. http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html
After chosing which programs run at startup, have it fix everything else. This will protect you from some bad programs and optimize your pc as well. One of my favorite free programs!

After running these three programs, you might find your pc runs fine. If you still chose to start all over again, I would still install and run these programs.

Answer 7

this is not any longer that undesirable, yet i think of going onto dodgy sites/downloading crap off of filesharing web content/customers is worse to your pc. Re-format and get a great AV like AVG or Avast, and good firewall like ZoneAlarm or Comodo and a great spyware scanner like Adaware or SpyBot and maximum importnalty, quit doing although you're at the instant doing to contract those viruses.

Answer 8

yes it will get all the viruses,spyware and YOUR INFORMATION will GONE ,but for sometime the RAM some how will decreases or will not.....if you reformat your PC, but if you do not want to reformat your PC ,try buy some anti-spyware and scan it then delete it....

Answer 9

No reformatting is completely harmless. Just get rid of vista and put xp on.

Answer 10

firstly, see vista is a new one so it does'nt support most of the softwares
secondly ,if u wana reformat ur hard drive ,u can (though i dont suggest u to) but ensure that u re install ur spy ware and make sure it is a good one