Fresh Install Of Windows XP

[Neville]

My Windows XP operating system has been seriously
compromised by 'trojan horses' that my symantec antivirus
program let through. I have been able to correct some of
the problems but they've obviously damaged the registry.
I've come to the conclusion a fresh install of Windows XP
is my only solution.

I've already done a 'repair installation' from my CD ROM
and that didn't solve the problems. I know I can do
a 'fresh install' from my CD ROM as well. To do this
must I first do a complete wipe of my hard drive or will
the fresh install in effect overwrite everything that was
there?

Any advice woulod be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Sjonia Harper [MSFT]]

You can wipe your hard drive if you want to, however, all you have to do
during the install is select the partition or partitions you want to combine
to create your C drive, and XP will completely overright everything.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I've already done a 'repair installation' from my CD ROM
and that didn't solve the problems. I know I can do
a 'fresh install' from my CD ROM as well. To do this
must I first do a complete wipe of my hard drive or will
the fresh install in effect overwrite everything that was
there?

A complete fresh install is going to require that you reinstall all
programs anyway, so you should make a proper job and format C: in the
process. Back up all data from it, then do it as part of a reinstall of
the system after booting the XP CD direct. Enter Setup, and after the
license agreement take New Install. When it asks you to confirm where,
hit ESC; select and delete the current partition and make a new RAW one
to be formatted at the next stage

The important point is the delete. Without that it will just go ahead
and make a new install over the top of the old one, giving a muddle.

You will need to run updates again of course, and ensure you are
firewalled before getting on the net even for a moment. You will also
need to re-activate, but that will go through on the net in seconds once
all is up and running. I would wait a day or two and look for a CD of
the new SP2 to run immediately after completing the setup

 

[Allen Lee]

Insert your re-install disc and eventually you will be
able to delete the old partition and recreate a new one.
Deleting the old one will wipe the drive.

Hope this helps,
Allen Lee
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Al Smith]

I've already done a 'repair installation' from my CD ROM

and that didn't solve the problems. I know I can do
a 'fresh install' from my CD ROM as well. To do this
must I first do a complete wipe of my hard drive or will
the fresh install in effect overwrite everything that was
there?

For peace of mind, it wouldn't be a bad idea to write zeros to
your entire drive. It's about the only way to be absolutely sure
nothing is still hiding on it. The diagnostics software from the
various drive makers, which you can download and put on a floppy,
then boot from the floppy, will do this. It takes a couple of
hours to clean the entire drive right down to the bone.