Total erasing of hard drive

L

Larry Smiser

Robin,

Erasing you hard drive is far too drastic. Have you identified the
offending programs? If not try using msconfig from the "run" option in
the start menu. Go to the Start tab and see if you can find the offending
programs.

HOWEVER, you can get a free copy of Starter at:
http://members.lycos.co.uk/codestuff/ which is much easier to use. It
accurately identifies the source of each entry in the Start entries in you
registry. Try using the Task to identify the memory hogs. Start task
manager from the by right clicking or an empty spot on the taskbar and
selecting it or by pressing "ctrl-alt-del" keys at the same time.
You can use Starter to experiment with disabling the suspect entries and
restore them later if they are judged OK.

I hope this will help you avoid reformatting you hard drive.

Larry

Robin J said:
I want to totally erase my hard drive and reinstall my Windows XP. What is
Click to expand...
my first step? I have some program that is eating all of my memory and
nothing else can load (or if it does, it takes forever) I just would like to
start over new. I have tried system restore, but it will not let me go back
past Feb 11. I bought the computer in July last year. Any one with ANY ideas
would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
G

Guest

I want to totally erase my hard drive and reinstall my Windows XP. What is my first step? I have some program that is eating all of my memory and nothing else can load (or if it does, it takes forever) I just would like to start over new. I have tried system restore, but it will not let me go back past Feb 11. I bought the computer in July last year. Any one with ANY ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
D

Don MI

Robin J said:
I want to totally erase my hard drive and reinstall my Windows XP. What is
Click to expand...
my first step? I have some program that is eating all of my memory and
nothing else can load (or if it does, it takes forever) I just would like to
start over new. I have tried system restore, but it will not let me go back
past Feb 11. I bought the computer in July last year. Any one with ANY ideas
would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

If your computer OEM, provided a Windows XP CD, you can boot with that
format and reinstall Windows XP. More likely, your OEM provided a means to
restore your system to the as-built configuration. Depending on your OEM,
the means to restore could be a set of System Restore CDs or a hidden
partition on your hard drive. You need to check your documentation or
contact your OEM support.

Before you go back to the beginning, suggest you use CTRL-Alt-Del to open
the Task Manager. The Process tab will indicate what processes are using
your CPU capacity. Post the process using your CPU here and someone may be
able to help you fix the problem.

Have you checked your computer for virus or pests?

Don
 

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