delete all files and folders and start again, can this be done?

[sarn]

I keep getting error messages etc on my computer. I want to delete everything
off( after backing up) and reload programmes and hardware back on, ie windows
xp etc. Everything is corrupt at the moment and I have tried various
different trouble shooting but nothing works just seems to make it worse. Can
anybody help me please!!

 

[John John (MVP)]

Boot your computer with your Windows XP cd (you may have to go in the
BIOS and change the boot order to have the CD boot before the hard
drive) and when you get to the disk/partition selection screen you will
be given the option to format the partition. Before you do this *make*
*sure* that you have your Windows Product Key!

John

 

[David B.]

It would help to know the make/model of you computer.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I keep getting error messages etc on my computer. I want to delete everything
off( after backing up) and reload programmes and hardware back on, ie windows
xp etc. Everything is corrupt at the moment and I have tried various
different trouble shooting but nothing works just seems to make it worse. Can
anybody help me please!!

First of all, although I don't know what your problem is, and whether
there is a better solution, let me point out that I am almost always
against reformatting and reinstalling to solve problems. If you do
that, you never find out what caused your problems, and you will
likely soon repeat the behavior that caused them and quickly find
yourself back where you started.

However if you do this, do you have an installation CD or an OEM
restoration CD? If the latter, follow the OEM's instructions.\

If the former, just boot from the Windows XP CD (change the BIOS boot
order if necessary to accomplish this) and follow the prompts for a
clean installation (delete the existing partition by pressing "D" when
prompted, then create a new one).

You can find detailed instructions here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

or here
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_install_windows_xp.htm

or here http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

or here http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

 

[shakey]

Just a note of caution from someone who just did this. I have a Dell 8400
system and the dell reinstall disk but still had globs of trouble
reinstalling. Their disk would not work! Told me I had no C drive, other
steps failed, them some drivers for sound and video did not install++++ . I
ended up talking to them for well over a hour on phone to get basic system
back into computer. My system is now GREAT but it was 50 hours of effort, no
exageration, from start to finish and still have not reinstalled all
previous applications.
Think long and hard about what you want to back up, what drivers you need,
and weather you want to reinstall old apps or try to find newer ones.
Best O'Luck
SG