Erasing Harddrive and starting over

[keith Plantholt]

I am running with XP and my computer is full of junk and
virus' from over the years. Can i format this cpu
compltly and start fresh. I have my XP cd.

 

[Lesa]

-----Original Message-----
I am running with XP and my computer is full of junk and
virus' from over the years. Can i format this cpu
compltly and start fresh. I have my XP cd.
.

Yes You can Just make sure you have your recovery cd or a
cd that has all of your drivers for video, sound modem
etc. If you have more questions email me-I have several
hardware, software, and networking certifications
Lesa
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Michael Stevens]

I am running with XP and my computer is full of junk and
virus' from over the years. Can i format this cpu
compltly and start fresh. I have my XP cd.

See the suggestions in the link below.
BTW, the CPU is only part of the computer, not the computer itself. You
cannot format the CPU, you would format the hard drive.

http://michaelstevenstech.com
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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[Richard Keirle]

I had a quick read through this site - http://michaelstevenstech.com While
it was all very interesting, I didn't spot any advice on zero-filling a hard
disk to get rid of that "once in a blue moon" wonky XP format / installation
that went wrong somewhere, leaving errors that simply no subsequent XP
format/install/reinstall or repair can solve. A few months ago I
experienced a "bad" XP install, and the only thing that cleared the problem
was downloading and running the fixed-disk maunfacturers zero-fill utility.
XP then went in without a single problem. ...that's an old one - I found
myself using ....."fixed-disk" ...mumble...mumble...."must stop
giving away my age".....

regards, Richard

 

[Bee]

I had a quick read through this site - http://michaelstevenstech.com While
it was all very interesting, I didn't spot any advice on zero-filling a hard
disk to get rid of that "once in a blue moon" wonky XP format / installation
that went wrong somewhere, leaving errors that simply no subsequent XP
format/install/reinstall or repair can solve. A few months ago I
experienced a "bad" XP install, and the only thing that cleared the problem
was downloading and running the fixed-disk maunfacturers zero-fill utility.
XP then went in without a single problem.....

I challenge your statement that "errors that simply no subsequent XP
format/install/reinstall or repair can solve". Provided the hardware and
the BIOS are functioning correctly -- the latter can be replaced anew, if
needs be -- no amount of software malfunction, which includes the
consequences of malware attacks, can wreck a computer to an extent that it
is irrecoverable: a deletion of partition(s) to a raw state -- 1s and 0s
that are rendered meaningless or simply inaccessible -- followed by
formatting, then the OS, can *always* resurrect a dead computer. To convert
to all 0s is unnecessary. I believe the utility you referred to is
primarily for computer manufacturers cleaning up a machine after soak tests
and try runs before sending off to customers.

 

[Richard Keirle]

Presume to debate me would you ??? I think you need to have a word with
cquirke@Africa ! .. I'd like to have seen you sort out the hard disk that
came to me with a "bad" XP install on it !! And how peculiar that the
NEVER-ENDING series of problems after MULTIPLE formats and XP pro
installs/reinstalls, ALL VANISHED after zero-filling the hard-disk and
starting from scratch.
Perhaps you haven't worked on many machines ?

regards, Richard

 

[Malke]

I had a quick read through this site - http://michaelstevenstech.com
While it was all very interesting, I didn't spot any advice on
zero-filling a hard disk to get rid of that "once in a blue moon"
wonky XP format / installation that went wrong somewhere, leaving
errors that simply no subsequent XP
format/install/reinstall or repair can solve. A few months ago I
experienced a "bad" XP install, and the only thing that cleared the
problem was downloading and running the fixed-disk maunfacturers
zero-fill utility.
XP then went in without a single problem. ...that's an old one - I
found
myself using ....."fixed-disk" ...mumble...mumble...."must stop
giving away my age".....

Well, although I think a format and reinstall would take care of your
problem, you can always download a program to write the 0's and 1's on
the drive if it will make you happy. I like "Boot and Nuke". Google for
it, download it, make a bootable floppy, and go to town. It will do a
DOD erase.

Malke

 

[Bee]

Presume to debate me would you ??? I think you need to have a word with
cquirke@Africa ! I'd like to have seen you sort out the hard disk that
came to me with a "bad" XP install on it !! And how peculiar that the
NEVER-ENDING series of problems after MULTIPLE formats and XP pro
installs/reinstalls, ALL VANISHED after zero-filling the hard-disk and
starting from scratch.
Perhaps you haven't worked on many machines ?

How very peculiar indeed!