How do you completely wipe the hard drive so its like new?

Question

ok im totally new to this stuff so I really need you to help and give details. Im not putting a magnet over it and im not sure about all these terms are so please help me

Answer 1

Well the question is do you want your operating system back on? Erasing a harddrive isn't hard. The hard drive your trying to erase, is it the primary hard drive with your operating system? Or a secondary hard drive with just files?

To erase the hard drive, your going to need a boot disk unless you do not have windows XP and Windows Vista. Windows XP doesnt give you the ability to restart into DOS. If your using Windows 98, you can simply restart into DOS and type format C:/

It will then pop up saying all data will be lost and you type y for yes.

If your using windows XP, you need the Windows XP boot disk. You can find most boot disks here.
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Answer 2

If this is a Dell do this

Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec
NOTICE: Using Dell PC Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any applications or
drivers installed after you received your computer. If possible, back up the data before using PC Restore. Use PC
Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.
NOTE: Dell PC Restore by Symantec is not available in all countries or on all computers.
Use Dell PC Restore by Symantec only as the last method to restore your operating system.
PC Restore restores your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer.
Any programs or files added since you received your computer—including data files—are permanently
deleted from the hard drive. Data files include documents, spreadsheets, e-mail messages, digital photos,
music files, and so on. If possible, back up all data before using PC Restore.
To use PC Restore:
1 Turn on the computer.
During the boot process, a blue bar with www.dell.com appears at the top of the screen.
2 Immediately upon seeing the blue bar, press .
IF YOU DO NOT PRESS IN TIME, LET THE COMPUTER FINISH STARTING, AND THEN RESTART THE
COMPUTER AGAIN.
NOTICE: If you do not want to proceed with PC Restore, click Reboot in the following step.
3 On the next screen that appears, click Restore.
4 On the next screen, click Confirm.
The restore process takes approximately 6–10 minutes to complete.
56 Troubleshooting Tools
5 When prompted, click Finish to reboot the computer.
NOTE: Do not manually shut down the computer. Click Finish and let the computer completely reboot.
6 When prompted, click Yes.
The computer restarts. Because the computer is restored to its original operating state, the screens that
appear, such as the End User License Agreement, are the same ones that appeared the first time the
computer was turned on.
7 Click Next.
The System Restore screen appears and the computer restarts.
8 After the computer restarts, click OK.

Go to Microsoft Updates as you now will be WAY out of date.

Answer 3

You must have your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)software Windows CD-ROM, anything that is connected to your computer printer, CD player or whatever. You will have to reformat the drive after you insert the CD. Follow on-screen instructions. If your drive is divided into logical drives - you will have to configure them also. Check My Computer first. If you DON'T think you have the ability to do all this - please consult a computer professional for help

Answer 4

Get out your Original Operating System Disc's
Place it in your computer and choose Erase and Install/
This option will erase everything and reInstall just like new.
Don

Answer 5

KillDisk Hard Drive Eraser

www.killdisk.com

It's free.

Answer 6

Reformat!