Used Computers and fixing the hard drive

[allensark1994]

We bought a used computer and it once belonged to some sort of Spanish
School. We have tried to erase/delete everything pertaining to the school off
the hard drive, but everytime we turn off then turn the computer back on,
everything comes back as it was. I know someone who had this problem and she
put all that info into its own spot and labeled it drive X instead of drive C
which is the normal one. Then all the stuff that was on the hard drive was
locked up on "drive X" and the rest of the hard drive was free to use as
drive C just like normal, and the operating system and all of that stuff was
still on drive C too. Can someone please tell me how to do this so we can use
this new/used computer? This should be a common problem since most of the
people I know are buying used computers. Thanks!!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

We bought a used computer and it once belonged to some sort of
Spanish School. We have tried to erase/delete everything pertaining
to the school off the hard drive, but everytime we turn off then
turn the computer back on, everything comes back as it was. I know
someone who had this problem and she put all that info into its own
spot and labeled it drive X instead of drive C which is the normal
one. Then all the stuff that was on the hard drive was locked up on
"drive X" and the rest of the hard drive was free to use as drive C
just like normal, and the operating system and all of that stuff
was still on drive C too. Can someone please tell me how to do this
so we can use this new/used computer? This should be a common
problem since most of the people I know are buying used computers.
Thanks!!

Format it completely and reinstall the OS and all the applicatins you have
licenses for fresh.

Assuming you have the Windows XP CD:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

 

[Daave]

We bought a used computer and it once belonged to some sort of Spanish
School. We have tried to erase/delete everything pertaining to the
school off
the hard drive, but everytime we turn off then turn the computer back
on,
everything comes back as it was. I know someone who had this problem
and she
put all that info into its own spot and labeled it drive X instead of
drive C
which is the normal one. Then all the stuff that was on the hard drive
was
locked up on "drive X" and the rest of the hard drive was free to use
as
drive C just like normal, and the operating system and all of that
stuff was
still on drive C too. Can someone please tell me how to do this so we
can use
this new/used computer? This should be a common problem since most of
the
people I know are buying used computers. Thanks!!

Anytime you obtain someone else's computer, it's important to clean the
hard drive completely and start with a fresh slate. Different PC
manufacturers provide different ways of accomplishing this. If your used
PC came with an XP installation disk, simply follow the instructions
listed here:

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

Otherwise post back with more information, including the make and model
of the the PC and the method for reinstallation you believe was
provided.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

We bought a used computer and it once belonged to some sort of Spanish
School. We have tried to erase/delete everything pertaining to the school off
the hard drive, but everytime we turn off then turn the computer back on,
everything comes back as it was. I know someone who had this problem and she
put all that info into its own spot and labeled it drive X instead of drive C
which is the normal one. Then all the stuff that was on the hard drive was
locked up on "drive X" and the rest of the hard drive was free to use as
drive C just like normal, and the operating system and all of that stuff was
still on drive C too. Can someone please tell me how to do this so we can use
this new/used computer? This should be a common problem since most of the
people I know are buying used computers. Thanks!!

If I acquired a used computer, the first thing I would do with it
would be to reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea
how the computer has been maintained, what has been installed
incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and spyware there may be,
etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody else's mistakes and
problems, possibility of kiddy porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend
that anyone else do either.

 

[Gerry]

I agree with what the others have said. If you do not have a Windows XP
CD what is the computer make and model?

With regard to the specific problem of ever returning files can you
provide the full name of one of the files including the file extension.

You may need to see hidden files etc. Go to Start, Control Panel, Folder
Options, View, Advanced Settings
and verify that the box before "Show hidden files and folders" is
checked and "Hide protected operating system files " is unchecked. You
may need to scroll down to see the second item. You should also make
certain that the box before "Hide extensions for known file types" is
not checked. Next in Windows Explorer make sure View, Details is
selected and then select View, Choose Details and check before Name,
Type, Total Size, and Free Space.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[canton.alex]

Hello Everyone,
This post has been posted to discuss the launch of the new forum
website named "EasyPC". If you would like to help run this website
please email me on (e-mail address removed). If interested please visit
http://easypc.top-talk.net
It would be greatly appreciated if we could get as many people to
register to this site to get the site running. Also it would be great
if you could tell your friends about it.

Many thanks,
The EasyPC Team.