My ex-boyfriend, who is slightly more computer saavy than I am, riddled my computer with files and such. I’ve spent ages trying to delete his crap, and defragment my hard drive. Now I’ve decided I’d rather just wipe out the whole thing and start over again. I’ve got all the disks and operating system software to start over on. Could someone please tell me the safe and correct way to delete the entire contents of my computer, and then how to reinstall everything? Is this too huge to undertake on my own? I’d like to give it a shot. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
This is probably a good place to start:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;255867
If you’re not extremely savvy with Windows, quit while you’re ahead and switch to Linux…before you get tainted…I mean savvy.
- format the hard drive
- partition the hard drive
- load the operating system
- load device drivers
If you want any more information than that, you’re going to have to give us more information as well. If you don’t care about losing data, then there’s nothing ‘unsafe’ about it. You’re not going to fry your computer or anything. You just can’t use your computer until you load an operating system.
Before you start you should make a copy of any important files you may have on the machine. Or you could back up the entire system if you have the knowledge and the time (in case you`re unhappy with the system in the default mode).
What version of windows are you talking about?
Fdisk should be on the floppy that came with the windows (x) OS software. Or on the CD.
If you have the install floppy - place it in the floppy drive then go to My Computer and select the A drive.
Fdisk should be on the list of programs, Fdisk is the reformatt tool. Try to run it from here.
If you cant run it from that window, get to DOS mode or restart the machine with the startup floppy in the drive. At the A prompt type in the letters dir. The list of utility programs will be displayed. Fdisk should be on there. At the A prompt type the letters fdisk. This will start the re-format procedure and youre on your way.
Run FDISK and re-formatt the drives(s).
Then run the OS install off of the floppy, or the CD.
In my case, I have to run FDISK off the install floppy, then start the OS install off of the same floppy (installs CD rom drivers) then I am prompted to insert the 98 CD and continue with the installation.
This should take about an hour. You should select the typical windows install if you`re not comfortable or familiar with the custom installation procedures.
Just remember that whatever windows components you choose to install or not install, you can undo or add later on (if you go the custom route).
Install all the drivers that you can remember you need. You will be prompted for most of them. Some of the things you have connected to the machine may not prompt you to install drivers for them. Youll have to dig up the software that came with them. Youll have to re-install all the games that were on the machine.
You will probably have to get in touch with your internet people to get reconnected (charter, road runner, aol, etc.). Some of the settings will need to be entered manually.
Get online and update the OS at Microsoft.com ASAP and that should give you the latest version of the OS components including InternetExplorer.