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

[ByTor]

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

Good, glad to hear it.....Sometimes the simplest solution may be the
best in certain instances, but than again I remember my first instances
of partitioning way back when.....Oooooh boy was it a learning
experience. Had to go through a lot of pains......Now, I have 6 machines
in my house, each of 4 sporting 2 OS's in a dual boot scenario, 2 other
machines have 4 OS's on 1 HD, so suffice to say I have learned a GREAT
deal about formatting as I also have a total of about 15 Harddrives
spread out in my network............I too had little knowledge way back
when.........I think sometimes people in the NG's forgot that at once
they were not as savvy once either..........

Anyway just thought I'd give ya that little tid bit, if I can help ya
any other way just let me know...........

 

[Dev]

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

I used your guide to help me get over my problems. Very very useful and very
nicely written so laymen can understand it.

 

[ByTor]

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?

True....... ;0)

I just don't see it as easier, but it is a viable option.

One I've used on many instances in various situations........

 

[Dev]

Good, glad to hear it.....Sometimes the simplest solution may be the
best in certain instances, but than again I remember my first instances
of partitioning way back when.....Oooooh boy was it a learning
experience. Had to go through a lot of pains......Now, I have 6 machines
in my house, each of 4 sporting 2 OS's in a dual boot scenario, 2 other
machines have 4 OS's on 1 HD, so suffice to say I have learned a GREAT
deal about formatting as I also have a total of about 15 Harddrives
spread out in my network............I too had little knowledge way back
when.........I think sometimes people in the NG's forgot that at once
they were not as savvy once either..........

Anyway just thought I'd give ya that little tid bit, if I can help ya
any other way just let me know...........

That is amazing!! You must have some kind of business going on. On the
subject of computers, you know I really feel that the average person would
most definitely be confused by the lingo, and the technical aspects of all
the various configurations.

Once you get past the browser even the simplest things are not familiar with
the average user, such as active X and java script enabling etc.etc.

 

[Alias]

: Alias wrote:
: >>
: >>> 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?
: >>> --
: >>> 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.
:
: >> Can it write zeros to the
: >> drive too?
:
: Not necessary in the OP's situation. Nothing important on the hard drive
to
: wipe out securely.
:
: >> 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
: >>
:
: 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

OK, maybe "easier" wasn't the right word. How about "less complicated"? Now
maybe it's just less complicated for me because I have done it with the HD
floppies to many computers to the point that I could do it in my sleep and
I have never done it using the XP CD.

 

[Michael Stevens]

I used your guide to help me get over my problems. Very very useful
and very nicely written so laymen can understand it.

Dev,
Thanks for the compliment. Much appreciated.

--
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

 

[ByTor]

That is amazing!! You must have some kind of business going on. On the
subject of computers, you know I really feel that the average person would
most definitely be confused by the lingo, and the technical aspects of all
the various configurations.

Once you get past the browser even the simplest things are not familiar with
the average user, such as active X and java script enabling etc.etc.

It's the un-educated that proprietary computer conglomerates rely on to
increase & continue their sales........After my first experience with
the limitations of a Compaq Presario 5030 I bought some years ago I
swore from than on I would build my own computers & I learned quite a
bit. It's really not as hard as people think once they push aside that
intimidating fear of a computer........I'm STILL learning!!

Anyway, my education is all self taught, researched, and reading these
NG's scouring for education.....Here in the NG's is where the HEART of
it is, not some hourly waged tech support person trying to get you off
the phone by telling you to re-install everything.....

Keep reading, keep learning....Give yourself credit you actually did
pretty damned good............

 

[Bruce Chambers]

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

Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot
devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

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

--

Bruce Chambers

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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Ken Blake]

In

.


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.

Understood. I wasn't suggesting otherwise, just trying to point
out that how to do a clean installation is a trivial skill, and
not something you need to learn or practice.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Thanks Ken,

I would tend to use it as a last resort.

Good. That's the point I was trying to make.