need to wipe hard drive

[j]

Need to erase or format hard drive because it was
corrupted by viruses. The viruses have been cleaned but
the computer still is not working right, especially my
antivirus protection and internet.

I tried to format disk from DOS but I can not access C:/.

How to I erase everything on the drive and reinstall??

Thanks

 

[Frank Jelenko]

You can boot from your XP install disk. Choose the options to setup XP.
When given the option, delete the partition [virii can be in the boot
sector]. You can then create a new partition and then format it.

 

[Jason]

Need to erase or format hard drive because it was
corrupted by viruses. The viruses have been cleaned but
the computer still is not working right, especially my
antivirus protection and internet.

I tried to format disk from DOS but I can not access C:/.

How to I erase everything on the drive and reinstall??

Thanks

Pop in your Windows XP CD, restart and boot from the CD and do a fresh
install, it will format the drive for you

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

A few screens into the boot process, if you see the message on the boot
screen to "Press any key in order to boot from the CD," do so.

After loading drivers and files, you should be taken to a screen with
the following:

To Setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To Repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console press R.
To Quit setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

In your case, press ENTER.

Agree to the License agreement by pressing F8.

You will then be taken to a screen with two options.

To repair the selected Windows XP installation press R.
To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing,
press ESC.

This will bring you to a partition map where you
can delete, create and format partitions.
Select the drive you wish to format, delete the partition, then create a new
partition, format as desired and continue with XP installation.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Need to erase or format hard drive because it was
corrupted by viruses. The viruses have been cleaned but
the computer still is not working right, especially my
antivirus protection and internet.

I tried to format disk from DOS but I can not access C:/.

How to I erase everything on the drive and reinstall??

I would regard it as overkill, but if you feel you must, You do it as
part of a reinstall of the system after booting the XP CD direct. Enter
Setup, and after the license agreement take New Install. When it asks
you to confirm where, hit ESC; select and delete the current partition
and make a new RAW one to be formatted at the next stage

The important point is the delete. Without that it will just go ahead
and make a new install over the top of the old one