How can I completely wipe my entire system and do a fresh install

D

dev

Hi, I have just migrated from windows 98 running on a dan pentium 2.

I now have a dell 4700 and I want to do a fresh install, but I can't work
out how to delete and clean the entire system and do a fresh install in the
same way.

My "dareks boot and nuke" floppy "destroyer" disc wont' work, and my windows
98 disc in which I knew how to "format" is not working either??

It allways pops up, I did a fresh install but the system outfoxed me and I
found I had TWO installations of XP now I am really wondering if this is
something to do with the computer itself.

Anybody who can advise me how to do a simple clean sweep format I would be
most appreciative
 
B

ByTor

Hi, I have just migrated from windows 98 running on a dan pentium 2.

I now have a dell 4700 and I want to do a fresh install, but I can't work
out how to delete and clean the entire system and do a fresh install in the
same way.

My "dareks boot and nuke" floppy "destroyer" disc wont' work, and my windows
98 disc in which I knew how to "format" is not working either??

It allways pops up, I did a fresh install but the system outfoxed me and I
found I had TWO installations of XP now I am really wondering if this is
something to do with the computer itself.

Anybody who can advise me how to do a simple clean sweep format I would be
most appreciative

I sometimes find it's just easier, without 3rd party partitioning
software, to just get the utility disk for your type Hdrive and quick
low level the drive........This will wipe it NO matter what's on the
drive.....After you're done boot to your OS CD & let the setup format
your HD...........
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hi, I have just migrated from windows 98 running on a dan pentium 2.
|
| I now have a dell 4700 and I want to do a fresh install, but I can't work
| out how to delete and clean the entire system and do a fresh install in the
| same way.
|
| My "dareks boot and nuke" floppy "destroyer" disc wont' work, and my windows
| 98 disc in which I knew how to "format" is not working either??
|
| It allways pops up, I did a fresh install but the system outfoxed me and I
| found I had TWO installations of XP now I am really wondering if this is
| something to do with the computer itself.
|
| Anybody who can advise me how to do a simple clean sweep format I would be
| most appreciative
 
D

dev

ByTor said:
I sometimes find it's just easier, without 3rd party partitioning
software, to just get the utility disk for your type Hdrive and quick
low level the drive........This will wipe it NO matter what's on the
drive.....After you're done boot to your OS CD & let the setup format
your HD...........

Hi That is fine, I have nothing that needs to be really destroyed for
security reasons only I want to make sure I wipe away any mistakes of my
meddling or any viruses that have gotten onto it, I just want the knowledge
that I am starting from the best possible installation of windows XP now
that I have found my way around it.

what do you mean by getting the utlity disc for your type H drive?

Any ideas where I can find the easiest possible method of doing what you
suggest, it sounds like that is all that is needed, just a general format
would be fine.
 
M

Malke

dev said:
Hi, I have just migrated from windows 98 running on a dan pentium 2.

I now have a dell 4700 and I want to do a fresh install, but I can't
work out how to delete and clean the entire system and do a fresh
install in the same way.

My "dareks boot and nuke" floppy "destroyer" disc wont' work, and my
windows 98 disc in which I knew how to "format" is not working
either??

It allways pops up, I did a fresh install but the system outfoxed me
and I found I had TWO installations of XP now I am really wondering if
this is something to do with the computer itself.

Anybody who can advise me how to do a simple clean sweep format I
would be most appreciative

You have a new Dell and you want to do a clean install? Dell provides an
operating system disk which is bootable. You boot with it and take
installation. Then you need to delete the current os partition and
create a new one. This has nothing to do with the "computer itself" but
rather that you didn't install correctly. Here is a link to help you
with installing Windows:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Malke
 
D

dev

Carey Frisch said:
The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral
hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before
installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect
the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your
main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the
existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the
primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Thankyou for that info, the bit I got stuck on last time was the bit where
it asked you if you want to delete this or that partition,
I chose not to delete so I ended up with several instances of Windows..
 
D

dev

Malke said:
You have a new Dell and you want to do a clean install? Dell provides an
operating system disk which is bootable. You boot with it and take
installation. Then you need to delete the current os partition and
create a new one. This has nothing to do with the "computer itself" but
rather that you didn't install correctly. Here is a link to help you
with installing Windows:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

Thanks alot Malke

IN case you are wondering why I want to reinstall so fast the reason is as
follows: On my old Pentium 2, 98Se allways as a last resort if there was any
problem or anything I could just do a fresh install, and it allways without
fail solved whatever problem existed. This saved countless hours of problem
solving.

I wish to have the same knowledge and the same ability with Windows XP. If
that make sense. So the sooner I have learnt how to do a fresh install the
more confidence I will have with using my computer as ultimately I can fix
any problem.

Kind Rgds
 
A

Alias

:
: : > The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
: > to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
: > Windows XP to partition and format your drive:
: >
: > NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral
: > hardware
: > devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before
: > installing XP.
: >
: > NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically
disconnect
: > the
: > EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise
your
: > main
: > hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive
letter.
: > After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.
: >
: > 1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable
device".
: >
: > ===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
: > ===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
: >
: > 2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your
computer.
: > 3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
: > 4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the
: > existing
: > Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the
: > primary
: > partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.
: >
: > 5. Clean Install Windows XP
: > http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
: >
:
: Thankyou for that info, the bit I got stuck on last time was the bit where
: it asked you if you want to delete this or that partition,
: I chose not to delete so I ended up with several instances of Windows..

Here's an easier way:

Find out what the brand name of your hard drive is.

Go to the hard drive's manufacturer's web site and download the FLOPPY, not
CD, utilities to format and partition your hard drive.

Once you have the floppy or floppies (some HDs have two floppies), stick it
in the floppy drive and boot up.

Follow the instructions after the HD program loads.

Once you've formatted (a quick format should suffice) and partitioned your
hard drive, go into the BIOS and set your CDROM as the first to boot.

Put the XP CD in your CDROM.

Reboot and install XP.

Go into safe mode and do a clean up/chkdsk/defrag.

Boot back into normal mode.

Reboot into the BIOS and change your boot order back to the way it was.

Go back to Normal Mode and install SP2 from a CD.

Go into safe mode and do a clean up/chkdsk/defrag.

Install your programs and go into safe mode and do a clean up/chkdsk/defrag
after each installation if big and after three or four if the programs are
small.

Install your devices like your printer, camera, etc.

Enjoy.
--
Alias

Use the Reply to Sender function of your news reader program to email me.


:
:
:
 
M

Michael Stevens

Why is that easier?
It is an alternate method, but not easier.

1. Search for floppy image on web site.
2. Make floppy disk.
3. boot with floppy disk utility.
4. run utility to wipe hard drive.
5. reboot with XP CD.
6. Run setup.

As opposed to

1. Boot with XP CD.
2. Run setup.

Easier? :cool:
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
A

Alias

: Why is that easier?
: It is an alternate method, but not easier.
:
: 1. Search for floppy image on web site.
: 2. Make floppy disk.
: 3. boot with floppy disk utility.
: 4. run utility to wipe hard drive. [Alias' note: AND partition the hard
drive]
: 5. reboot with XP CD.
: 6. Run setup.
:
: As opposed to
:
: 1. Boot with XP CD.
: 2. Run setup.
:
: Easier? :cool:
: --
: Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
: (e-mail address removed)
: http://michaelstevenstech.com
: For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
: http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

XP can create partitions? I didn't know that. Can it write zeros to the
drive too? Once you have the floppy made, you can use it again and you can
use it to check your hard drive's health, etc. Handy things to have :)
--
Alias

Use the Reply to Sender function of your news reader program to email me.
:
:
: : >
: >
: > :
: > : : > : > The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
: > : > to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
: > : > Windows XP to partition and format your drive:
: > : >
: > : > NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral
: > : > hardware
: > : > devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before
: > : > installing XP.
: > : >
: > : > NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically
: > disconnect
: > : > the
: > : > EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise
: > your
: > : > main
: > : > hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive
: > letter.
: > : > After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.
: > : >
: > : > 1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable
: > device".
: > : >
: > : > ===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
: > : > ===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
: > : >
: > : > 2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your
: > computer.
: > : > 3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the
: > instructions.
: > : > 4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all
: > the
: > : > existing
: > : > Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format
the
: > : > primary
: > : > partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.
: > : >
: > : > 5. Clean Install Windows XP
: > : > http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
: > : >
: > :
: > : Thankyou for that info, the bit I got stuck on last time was the bit
: > where
: > : it asked you if you want to delete this or that partition,
: > : I chose not to delete so I ended up with several instances of
Windows..
: >
: > Here's an easier way:
: >
: > Find out what the brand name of your hard drive is.
: >
: > Go to the hard drive's manufacturer's web site and download the FLOPPY,
: > not
: > CD, utilities to format and partition your hard drive.
: >
: > Once you have the floppy or floppies (some HDs have two floppies), stick
: > it
: > in the floppy drive and boot up.
: >
: > Follow the instructions after the HD program loads.
: >
: > Once you've formatted (a quick format should suffice) and partitioned
your
: > hard drive, go into the BIOS and set your CDROM as the first to boot.
: >
: > Put the XP CD in your CDROM.
: >
: > Reboot and install XP.
: >
: > Go into safe mode and do a clean up/chkdsk/defrag.
: >
: > Boot back into normal mode.
: >
: > Reboot into the BIOS and change your boot order back to the way it was.
: >
: > Go back to Normal Mode and install SP2 from a CD.
: >
: > Go into safe mode and do a clean up/chkdsk/defrag.
: >
: > Install your programs and go into safe mode and do a clean
: > up/chkdsk/defrag
: > after each installation if big and after three or four if the programs
are
: > small.
: >
: > Install your devices like your printer, camera, etc.
: >
: > Enjoy.
: > --
: > Alias
: >
: > Use the Reply to Sender function of your news reader program to email
me.
: >
: >
: > :
: > :
: > :
: >
: >
:
:
 
B

ByTor

Why is that easier?

Because he got in trouble like that in the first place. The utility disk
is much easier and in all instances a quick "low" level will wipe the
first & last section of the drive thereby eliminating any residual
traces of MBR......Also to some it is confusing to use the XP setup no?
Especially when you are dealing with deleting Primaries &
logicals..........Hence why I suggested the HD utility disk, ONE step
with a lot less confusion.......
 
B

ByTor

Hi That is fine, I have nothing that needs to be really destroyed for
security reasons only I want to make sure I wipe away any mistakes of my
meddling or any viruses that have gotten onto it, I just want the knowledge
that I am starting from the best possible installation of windows XP now
that I have found my way around it.

what do you mean by getting the utlity disc for your type H drive?

Any ideas where I can find the easiest possible method of doing what you
suggest, it sounds like that is all that is needed, just a general format
would be fine.

Sorry I abbreviated Harddrive if that's what confused ya. I take it you
seen Alias's post, find out what Harddrive make you have than just get
the utility disk to format it. I'm only suggesting the utility disk
because it will wipe the drive clean with "less" confusion. It's not
really for security reasons just ease......Plus you had two instances of
an OS so low leveling will removes all traces of the MBR also so
hopefully your next install will be easy & troublefree.........

If all of this is rough than boot to your OS CD & give it a shot again.
It will list each partition on the HD. Just be careful if you have more
than 1 HD, if not than just delete each partition you see on that one
drive.
 
K

Ken Blake

In
dev said:
IN case you are wondering why I want to reinstall so fast the
reason
is as follows: On my old Pentium 2, 98Se allways as a last
resort if
there was any problem or anything I could just do a fresh
install,
and it allways without fail solved whatever problem existed.
This
saved countless hours of problem solving.

I wish to have the same knowledge and the same ability with
Windows
XP. If that make sense. So the sooner I have learnt how to do a
fresh
install the more confidence I will have with using my computer
as
ultimately I can fix any problem.


Your choice, but I think you have it exactly backwards. Doing a
clean installation is very easy; there's really no "learning how"
that's required. It's a step by step process that's always
exactly the same each time you do it. In a message in this thread
a few minutes ago, I provided several links that provide that
sequence of steps. As long as you have those, you know how to do
it even if you've never done it before.

But troubleshooting is a skill that takes learning. Exactly what
you do to find a problem and fix it is different almost every
time, because the problem is likely to be different. *That's*
what you need to learn and practive, not clean installing, which
is trivially easy.
 
D

Dev

Sorry I abbreviated Harddrive if that's what confused ya.

Oh! Of course how silly of me, yess of course "Hard Drive" :)


I take it you seen Alias's post, find out what Harddrive make you have
than just get
the utility disk to format it. I'm only suggesting the utility disk
because it will wipe the drive clean with "less" confusion. It's not
really for security reasons just ease......Plus you had two instances of
an OS so low leveling will removes all traces of the MBR also so
hopefully your next install will be easy & troublefree.........

If all of this is rough than boot to your OS CD & give it a shot again.
It will list each partition on the HD. Just be careful if you have more
than 1 HD, if not than just delete each partition you see on that one
drive.

All has worked out now, it did take me a few installations to get it all ok,
but now seems to be running like a dream.

Thanks for all your inputs!!
 
D

Dev

ByTor said:
Because he got in trouble like that in the first place. The utility disk
is much easier and in all instances a quick "low" level will wipe the
first & last section of the drive thereby eliminating any residual
traces of MBR......Also to some it is confusing to use the XP setup no?
Especially when you are dealing with deleting Primaries &
logicals..........Hence why I suggested the HD utility disk, ONE step
with a lot less confusion.......

Hi Tor,

The thing is that people like me who are real power uses, can perhaps work
it out but as with this instance it took me three goes of installing windows
xp, if I had the "one step method" I think I would have preferred that.

Just install and zap then pop in the windows xp disc would have been good.

I do think that configuring a computer is not as easy as people tend to
think.

Thanks again for your input
 
D

Dev

..
But troubleshooting is a skill that takes learning. Exactly what you do to
find a problem and fix it is different almost every time, because the
problem is likely to be different. *That's* what you need to learn and
practive, not clean installing, which is trivially easy.


Hi Ken,

I agree with you 100%. I am learning, but it is not an easy task and by no
means is it something you can do overnight.
 
D

Dev

Ken Blake said:
In


I am hardly ever in favor of doing this, but if you insist:
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://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

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

Thanks Ken,

I would tend to use it as a last resort.
 
M

Michael Stevens

Alias said:
Michael Stevens said:
Why is that easier?
It is an alternate method, but not easier.

1. Search for floppy image on web site.
2. Make floppy disk.
3. boot with floppy disk utility.
4. run utility to wipe hard drive. [Alias' note: AND partition the
hard drive]
5. reboot with XP CD.
6. Run setup.

As opposed to

1. Boot with XP CD.
2. Run setup.

Easier? :cool:
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

XP can create partitions? I didn't know that.

Yes, any size you want.

Not necessary in the OP's situation. Nothing important on the hard drive to
wipe out securely.

I agree, but that doesn't make it easier does it?

You boot from the CD and do a clean install.
Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address bar.
How to clean install XP.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 
M

Michael Stevens

ByTor said:
Because he got in trouble like that in the first place. The utility
disk is much easier and in all instances a quick "low" level will
wipe the first & last section of the drive thereby eliminating any
residual traces of MBR......Also to some it is confusing to use the
XP setup no? Especially when you are dealing with deleting Primaries &
logicals..........Hence why I suggested the HD utility disk, ONE step
with a lot less confusion.......

And since he got in trouble doing a simple boot from CD install, what makes
you think they would have an easier time with the utility? :cool:

I just don't see it as easier, but it is a viable option.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 

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