Im having a proxy related problem on my laptop,and I want it gone...
If i format my hardrive will it delete my operating system?I have Windows Xp Pro.I'm not worried about loosing anything i've saved.
2007-10-22 12:01:07 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
Go for it. You will lose everything and a new OS will be installed.
2007-10-22 12:10:13 · answer #1 · answered by Retired and Glad 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's right. There are specialist companies out there who specialise (funny that, eh?) in complete data removal, but to your average home user you can't really clear your hard drive. There is nowhere OFF the hard drive for your information to go, is there? It remains on the hard drive, albeit garbled and extremely difficult to regain.. but nonetheless possible to those with the know-how and equipment. I imagine the data is compressed and fragmented to enough of an extent for you to never notice any decrease in total storage space, although hypothetically your idea makes sense.. apart from the hard drive exploding. It could be a technical limitation I'm not knowledgeable enough about or efforts by Microsoft etc to prevent the great majority of those who format hard drives - those with something to hide. So as long as you're not into child pornography or fraud, the police shouldn't be too interested in your hard drive. Congratulate your father.
2016-05-24 20:31:14 · answer #2 · answered by helga 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes when you reformat a hard drive it will remove all programs including the OS. If you have the Operation Software CD then you can reload from it but make sure that you get all your drivers saved first so that you can reload them.
2007-10-22 12:05:37 · answer #3 · answered by Curtis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea, when the hard drive is reforamtted, everything on the disk will be erased. If you chose quick format, it will only remove the directory header, and leaving the files on the hard drive unreadable, but recoverable. However, if you chose not to do a quick format, it will erase everything effeicently.
2007-10-22 12:12:08 · answer #4 · answered by skyscraperxd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is Microsoft's help for WindowsXP.
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/format.mspx?mfr=true
You might want to look at this too.
How to Perform a clean WindowsXP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
2007-10-22 12:16:45 · answer #5 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Anything on your hard drive will be gone. This includes your Operating System also.
2007-10-22 12:04:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋