Wiping my PC

[Guest]

Hi, Can anyone help me? I need to completely wipe my pc and as i run XP can
no longer get a boot disc.
I have been told various things one person has told me that if u use XP pcs
are set to boot from CD is this correct? another has said that I need to
change my bios, if this is so how do I do this.

Many thanks in advance

Jo.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Jo

If your OS is a pre-installed OEM version, you would do well to look at the
manual supplied with your computer, and/or contact the vendor..



Some conditions that allow recovery of an OEM install..

1. the vendor supplied you with recovery CDs..

2. the vendor supplied you with an XP OEM CD..

3. there is a hidden partition that enables creation of recovery CDs..



Assuming any one of the conditions above, you might also want to clarify
that any application over and above the OS is recoverable.. again, just
copying program folders over is not an option.. you may well need original
CDs to be able to get your applications back..



A question.. why do you feel the need to re-format your system?.. XP is a
fairly robust OS, and there are free tools available that will enable you to
clean up your system and get it into good shape again.. the advantage here
is that no pre-installed applications will be lost..



The other point here is that you will learn how to manage your system such
that any future problems can be handled without the need for drastic
action..

While I have this open, I will take the opportunity to help you further and
hopefully without the need to format your computer.. please excuse the
length of this post..



Spyware/Adware/Scumware has become a major player in compromising
computers.. they introduce viruses, trojans and worms.. they attempt to send
out information about you, and they also slow your computer down..



The worst of it is that you probably downloaded the spyware, albeit
inadvertently..



Some basic steps to removing Spyware/Adware..



First step is to run a one shot virus remover.. I have found that McAfee
Stinger works for people.. download and run it..



http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/



You will also need to download Spyware removal software.. Spybot and Adaware
are available at these websites.. both are free.. download and run them..
don't forget to check for updates after you have started them..



http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/



Spybot has the ability to immunize a system, but there is better for this
function, so download and run Spyware Blaster too.. again, check for
updates..



http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/



If you have had your Internet browser hijacked, that is to say, you get
redirected through a search engine NOT of your choosing, you will need
different tools..

HijackThis is a popular and effective tool.. download it from here..



http://www.spychecker.com/download/download_hijackthis.html



CWShredder will eliminate CoolWebSearch and variants.. there is a free
download here..



CWShredder.. http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html



About:blank.. http://lunatic-skydance.de/mr/soft/SpoonWeg.exe



For other tools in the fight against spyware, visit this website and
bookmark it..



http://www.pchell.com



You must also run a firewall and anti-virus program.. here are some links
for you..



http://www.mcafee.com

http://www.symantec.com

http://www.zonealarm.com

http://www.kerio.com

http://www.gate.com

http://www.avast.com

http://www.grisoft.com



Please return to this thread and provide feedback.. it is the only way that
helpers here can determine how effective the advice given has been..

Good luck..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi, Can anyone help me? I need to completely wipe my pc and as i run XP can
no longer get a boot disc.
I have been told various things one person has told me that if u use XP pcs
are set to boot from CD is this correct?

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

another has said that I need to
change my bios, if this is so how do I do this.

The specific instructions will be in the manual that came with the
computer.


--

Bruce Chambers

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