Erase hard drive

  • Thread starter Thread starter jabirtzer
  • Start date Start date
J

jabirtzer

I want to get rid of all the junk on my computer and
reinstall windows XP with my own disk, but I don't have a
clue of how to do it. There's nothing important on the
computer and I've heard you can clear the whole thing and
start over. Can someone tell me the easiest way to do it?
 
Hi

Try the following article by MVP Michael Stevens:

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

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User


| I want to get rid of all the junk on my computer and
| reinstall windows XP with my own disk, but I don't have a
| clue of how to do it. There's nothing important on the
| computer and I've heard you can clear the whole thing and
| start over. Can someone tell me the easiest way to do it?
 
If you have an XP disc with the full install version, drop the disc into
your cd-rom and carefully follow the prompts. If your BIOS is set to boot
from your cd-rom itwil start automatically.
It will 'see' the old version of XP on your HD and ask you if you want to
format and yes you do, which means it will wipe the old partition (follow
instructions) with XP on it and then you will regain all the space available
on the HD and install a fresh copy of XP..When you choose to delete the
'old'copy of XP, you will create a 'new' partition, or space on which to
install the new.
DO NOT choose a 'quick format' option which is offered.. It is tempting, but
you want a full format because if you should have weak spotson your HD, they
will be found ith the long format, before you try to install, saving you
from trying to install on a HD with bad sectors (it happens)
I would use NTFS file system and that will probably be your only choice
anyway since you had XP on there before.. Once you have read slwly and
carefully what you ae being told on each screen and each step, make the
choices and WIndows will format your HD, which means it will be prepared for
the new install of XP.. Depending on the size of your HD, this will take a
long time.
After the format, XP will begin installation adn that will take maybe 40
minutes or so... be patient with yourself and take your time, you can do
this, it isn't hard. XP is probbly the easiest Operating System to
re-install from Microsoft... Once you have finished, you will be able to say
you did it yourself, so the next time..............I have personally
re-installed XP more than 10 times on my machine.
 
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