how do i completly clear my computer?

Question

i want to clear it of all saved/ downloaded files. basically i want it to be like i just brought it

Answer 1

If u want ur system to be as fresh as u bought.........then u better format the C: drive........tat is wher all the software wud hav been stored.........

Beware if u format it then ur Windows Xp or any O.S. u r having wud also be removed.......so u must hav an XP booting CD or any OS booting CD..............

for this....

first u enter the BIOS setup by hitting DEL when u start u the computer.......ther u borwse thro' the options and change the Boot device priority or First boot device to CD ROM.......
this is important cause if u format u will lose ur OS and u cant enter into the desktop....and so ther is no way u can install from the cd.........

after changing the boot priority ....restart ur comp. and then press any key when it asks boot from cd.....
and go thro' the options......and format ur drive and reinstall ur OS.....

also if u format ur C: drive .........then the remaning drives wud b left with all the data u had previously.......if u dont want any data in any of the drives.......then format them all.........
Format the ones which dont need.....
NOTE: ONly if u format ur C: ur OS will be lost.........


still if u need info .........feel free to contact me.......

Answer 2

Actually, clearing your computer and getting rid of saved/downloaded files are different things.

In your case, you want to reset your system to "as you bought it", so you need to restore your system. If you bought from a big-name mfgr, there is usually a recovery partition or recovery set of media from which you can restore. Check out the mfgr website for instructions.

If this isn't the case, then you need to reinstall your operating system, drivers, and applications from installation discs. If you don't have them, then you would have to repurchase them or take your computer to a shop.

Answer 3

You want to format it. However, be aware that format will erase any and all files and programs. You will have to reinstall and configure everything. If there are any files/documents you don't care to redo, better invest in some external storage and copy/backup the documents.

Format is usually something most of us try to avoid because it is such a pain. Are you sure a "repair" and some of your time wouldn't accomplish the same thing?

I'll include information on format and repair:

WindowsXP System Restore – excellent link – explains with graphics
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

WindowsXP Repair Explained
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/options_to_use_when_a_system_will_not_start.mspx?mfr=true

WindowsXP Repair Tools
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:

http://www.download-download-this.com/4.html?OVRAW=Windows%20Installer%20corrupted&OVKEY=window%20installer&OVMTC=advanced

Fix and/or Repair Windows
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
http://www.onsitechicago.com/support/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=23&nav=0

*********************
Format the hard drive
http://www.ehow.com/how_6026_format-hard-drive.html

Excellent source. Explains well
Tips & Warnings
• You must backup before formatting or you will lost data you need.

Answer 4

just to burn the demanding stress or injury that's no longer the answer to do away with the information interior the demanding disk. i know a enterprise Stellar Phoenix it is the professional in improving information from bodily broken demanding drives so this determination isn't achieveable sufficient. yet, as quickly as i replaced into in comparable form of concern and at that element I got here to nicely known relating to the secure information Eraser application which claims that it erases the applying as much as the quantity that it could't be recovered to any extent further. i chanced on the applying rather sturdy you may attempt it

Answer 5

NeverLucky911:

You can reformat your hard drive completely and reinstall the operating systems. Nowdays a lot of computers especially HP/Compaqs have what they call a destructive recovery that enable you to start over just like your computer just came from the store.

How to reformat;

Here is instructions to reformat using Windows XP CD.

http://home.jam.rr.com/joshua627/how2reformat.htm

If you happen to have HP computer..

http://www.pctechbytes.com/tutorials/article/hp-recovery-17-1.html

Let me know how it turns out.

Regards,

Cesar

Answer 6

If you have a restoration or recovery disc, use that and it will restore it to default. Otherwise..rebooting it won't completely erase ALL files..it'll just erase the names of them so that they appear to be gone, but are still there. If you don't have a restoration/recovery disc. Consult your nearest geek squad to get a price quote.

Answer 7

full system restore. you probably have this option on your pc also the back up discs that came with it will do the same.

Answer 8

put in the restore cd which will put it back to what it was when it was new. i suggest you do it more than once

Answer 9

when its starting up press f10 for system recovery and click advance there u would find dangerous recover but its not dangerous it just restarts the computer to when u just bought it
trust me it works

Answer 10

Go to tools, then Internet Options.