How can I wipe my computer clean of all the information currently stored on it and start from scratch?

Question

I currently have a Dell Inspiron E1405 laptop pc, with Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 2. Basically all I want to do is start over from the beginning, like it's a brand new, fresh-out-of-the-box computer. But, here's the thing - I don't have any of the start-up or driver discs that originally came with my computer. Now, with the research I've done thus far, I know that it's nearly impossible to do this without those discs unless buy a Windows Vista Upgrade, which right now I don't want to do. If I could get some help with this it'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

By Looking at your picture, it looks like you could eat the mother board and hard drive in about 5 bites, and then buy a new one and replace it.
This Should Work.

Answer 2

Do you still have the receipts and dates from when you bought your computer? If you do, you can call Dell up and see if they will send you replacement discs for your computer. Even if you don't, call them up and ask them if you can re-purchase a copy of those discs. It may be that all you need to do is provide them the service tag number on the laptop to show that you own it. This may be the cheapest route.

If that does not work, then you probably have to invest in buying another copy of Windows XP. But before you do this, you said you wanted to have a clean PC again... try going to Add/Remove programs and remove everything that is not needed, strip the computer bare by removing all the programs you installed over the years. See if that would speed up your systems. Make sure to back up everything important first.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Many computers made in the last few years (including both my laptop and my desktop) have a separate partition on the hard drive containing the pre-installed software. During the boot-up process it should give you the option to either boot normally or boot to the recovery partition. If it does, follow the instructions you will get there to reformat and reinstall the software (including Windows). If you don't have that partition, you will have to find a Windows CD to reinstall with. If you purchased the computer new and the CD was not included with it, contact Dell and request a new one.

Answer 4

You could reformat the hard drive to clean it off completely, but unless you have the discs to reinstall the operating system, you have a useless computer. You have 2 choices: 1. Buy a copy of windows, reformat your hard drive, and reinstall the OS. or 2. Clean it off as best you can, and live with it as-is.

Answer 5

Go into Bios (CMOS) make your CD/DVD the first BOOT disc then insert your Vista Disc and Boot from it select new install. NB. in Bios safe and exit, after the first Boot onces Vista has installed some files make the Hard drive the first boot device otherwise it will start the whole thing again. after you made changes watch the screen it will reboot and you might have to press a Key to boot from the CD

Answer 6

Before you do anything to your computer, you need those disks. Try bringing it to a computer specialist so that they can erase your harddrive and reinstall XP.

By the way, you should be able to buy XP still. If you look around, I'm sure you'll find it.

Answer 7

Call Dell they can sell you the XP disk for about $30 to use with your license key label on your case.

You can also find you XP license key using Belarc Advisor. It will also list your Dell service tag number

Run Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
00-2094_4-10561260.html?tag=lst-0-1
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When you reinstall Windows you will need to install all the drivers for your modem, computer/motherboard; video card; sound card; network card; printer; scanner; mouse; web cam; etc.

How to update a Windows hardware driver
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial119.html

To find drivers:
Google the manufacturer's name and go to the manufacturer's site for you computer/motherboard; video card; sound card; network card; printer; scanner; mouse; web cam; etc. Each site will have a support section to find the latest drivers and download them. You will need to know the make and model number. If you do not know the make and model number run Belarc Advisor and look in Windows Device Manager.

Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Dell might also be able to sell you the driver disks. You can download all the Dell drivers for you computer from the Dell Website. You will need your Dell service tag number. After formatting you probably will not be able to connect to the internet without the Ethernet; Wireless; or dial up modem drivers, download them now and burn them to a disk.
http://support.dell.com/support/index.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen

Sites that analyze your computer for required drivers and charge a fee to allow you to download the drivers.
http://driveragent.com/?ref=86
http://www.driverguide.com/
http://www.drivershq.com/
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When you format all your information will be lost. Back up your computer now.

Install BackRex Internet Explorer Backup (free)
http://www.backsettings.com/internet-explorer-backup.html
It allows you to backup favorites, history, proxy settings, fonts, dialup accounts, autocomplete passwords and cookies.

Install Firefox Extension Backup Extension (FEBE) CLEO
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2109
FEBE backs up your extensions, themes, and (optionally) your bookmarks, preferences, passwords, cookies and just about everything else Firefox offers.

Create a directory such as "Firefox Backup" and "IE7 Backup" for each browsers backup data in your "My Documents Folder". This way whenever you backup you files you will also backup your browsers settings. Repeat logged as each user.


Run Belarc Adviser: Print out results.
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
Locate all your drivers and software disks and keys.

Read the following prior to reformatting:

Pre Flattening Checklist
http://blog.angrypets.com/2006/01/ultimate_prefla.html

Reformat The Hard Drive
http://www.thefuhrmans.com/reformat_hd.htm

Reformat: Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx
http://www.whitecanyon.com/reformat-the-hard-drive-in-windows-xp.php
http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/archive/l0910/32l10/32l10.asp

Answer 8

reformated