Windows XP

[koekaye]

I am about to purchase a new Desktop Pc and would like to give my grandkids my old one, How do i re format the hard drive as there are lots of work related files which take up lots of room on hard drive i have copied these to discs but told pc needs to be formatted as will run slow its 512mb & 80g hard drive

Thanks

[Ethel]

Have you got the original disks that came with the pc?

[koekaye]

Yes have all discs and related software inc product codes etc

Thanks

[Ethel]

Sorry for the delay but it seems different pcs have different methods.

All my computers are windows XP but having read the manuals, they all use different ways to restore to factory settings.

I would hate to give you the wrong instructions and cause damage.

What make and model is it?

[koekaye]

Hi Ethel

PC is not one from normal outlet but was made for me for work purpose about 18 months ago it has a ASUS motherboard A7S8MX and Samsung hard drive Hope this helps, is there not a command that can be done just to wipe the hard drive clean?? There is nothing in any of my manuals to show how to wipe drive clean, I would hate to think all my tax returns and accounts could be retrieved if normal delete was used

Thanks

[vehelpfulguy]

To start a Windows install put in the Windows CD and Boot from that CD. (you may need to change the boot order in the BIOS so the CD drive boots before the hard disk)

When you reinstall Windows you get the option to format the hard drive DURING the install.

This will wipe everything off the drive and leave it empty so all your tax retrurns etc will be gone.

You can then continue the Windows install.

You ask for a simple command to wipe the hard drive but it is not as simple as that.

A hard disk can have numerous partitions, including hidden ones, it can even have multiple operating systems installed like 2 or 3 copies of Windows or maybe Linux.

There is a program called FDISK that is available on some old Windows diskettes and CDs, and you can format the hard disk with that.

[Ethel]

This should do it:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6026_format-hard-drive .html


Scroll down to: Formatting and Installing from the Windows XP CD

Good luck!

[koekaye]

Many thanks for your time Ethel

I have printed off those instructions and logged the website i will try this when i collect my new pc on wednesday I guess if all fails i could buy a new hard drive but am not that technical to install it and ensure its done correctly

Once again thanks for your help

[fo3nix]

Before erasing the old computer, make sure any stuff you need from it on your new one is working fine on the new one too.

If you want added security, then you can use eraser (free) to truly erase files, very securely.

http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/

[AussieGeoff]

G'Day

I agree with fo3nix, use Eraser. If you want to permanently erase your confidential files now use the "Erase unused disk space" option. You will probably get error messages from windoze telling you the disk is full - this is what is supposed to happen because Eraser creates files and folders that fill up the disk and then erases them.

When it becomes time to reformat and install go into the BIOS and change the startup order to CD, then Floppy and then Drive C. Make sure there is nothing in the CD drive or floppy. The computer will boot normally, run eraser and select Make floppy, when it finishes leave the floppy in and reboot, when that finishes insert the install CD, remove the floppy and reboot. This will totally erase everything on all hard drives and start the installation of XP.

Instructions are in the quick start guide.

NOTES:
1) Do not use the Erase Disk floppy if windoze reinstalls from a recovey partition because the Erase Disk wipes out everything, including the recovery partition!
2) Make certain you have backed up everything you want to keep because Erase Disk will wipe out everything and you will not be able to recover anything.

This is exactly the method I use when I reinstall XP.

Oh yeah, 512MB of memory and 80GB of disk space is enough - I was running XP with 512MB of memory and a total 60GB of disk space (20GB and 40GB) for over 2 years without a problem. The only change I have made is to replace the 40GB drive with a 120GB drive - no faster, just more disk space.

Geoff