Clean Hard Drive To Operating System

millsa · 09-16-2006, 08:30 PM

Hi yes I would like to know how I completely remove every file on the hard drive except for the operating system, as I cannot be bothered to spend years reinstalling windows XP again for the 3rd time

Thanks for any help.

Iluvpenguins · 09-16-2006, 10:23 PM

I think the only way IS to format...or maybe theres a third party program that does it?

pokemon87654 · 09-17-2006, 06:37 AM

yeah you can look around for something online maybe,but the easiest way is to reformat it and use your windows cd

SirKenin · 09-17-2006, 07:30 AM

I just go into My Computer and start deleting folders... Of course it helps if you know what you are deleting.

StrangleHold · 09-17-2006, 01:38 PM

If you made a restore point from when you first installed the OS!

Trizoy · 09-17-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangleHold

If you made a restore point from when you first installed the OS!

That doesnt delete virus or anythihng, just restores to old settings...

arisejesus · 09-20-2006, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokemon87654

...but the easiest way is to reformat it and use your windows cd

yah..the easiest way is still reformatting..unless u want to delete the file manually one by one (provided u know wat u are deleting) anyway nowadays i think reformat and installing windows XP takes less than 40 minuites...not really that much of time...

terii · 09-21-2006, 02:10 AM

Reformat your computer. Install XP and any apps you consider important. Then make an image file of this installation. Keep it handy . Any time in the future you have a serious problem with XP then restore the image and start again. Of course any data has to be saved first. We all know about the importance of backups right?

09-16-2006, 08:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
millsa New Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7	Clean Hard Drive To Operating System Hi yes I would like to know how I completely remove every file on the hard drive except for the operating system, as I cannot be bothered to spend years reinstalling windows XP again for the 3rd time Thanks for any help.

09-16-2006, 10:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Iluvpenguins Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kitchener Ontario Posts: 1,293	I think the only way IS to format...or maybe theres a third party program that does it? __________________ My computer: Intel Core2Duo E6550 @ 3.01ghz Gigabyte P31-DS3L Patriot 2x1GB DDR2-800 @ 1032mhz EVGA GeForce 8800GTX Antec 500W w/32A on 12v rail WD 80GB HDD,WD 500GB HDD Ultra Aluminus Full Tower Case (Black Finish)

09-17-2006, 06:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
pokemon87654 Gold Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 293	yeah you can look around for something online maybe,but the easiest way is to reformat it and use your windows cd __________________ Athlon xp 3000+ 400 bus 1 gig of ram 5600xt 256mb video 380 gigs. Macbook pro 2.16 duo 1.5 gigs of ram 100gig 7200rpm Windows and Mac OS

09-17-2006, 01:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
StrangleHold Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In a realm of unknown Wonders Posts: 7,551	If you made a restore point from when you first installed the OS! __________________ NZXT Apollo Athlon 64 X2 5600-3.3ghz. Gigabyte GA MA770 DS3 G Skill DDR2 1066-944mhz. 4gbs. PNY 8800GT/VD964 Cooler W/D Sata 3.0 500gb RE2 Humans are curious creatures and by nature insane. Lock us all in a room together and within hours we're dividing into groups, creating Gods and plotting on how to kill one another.

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09-17-2006, 07:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
SirKenin banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,711	I just go into My Computer and start deleting folders... Of course it helps if you know what you are deleting.

09-21-2006, 02:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
terii Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 284	Reformat your computer. Install XP and any apps you consider important. Then make an image file of this installation. Keep it handy . Any time in the future you have a serious problem with XP then restore the image and start again. Of course any data has to be saved first. We all know about the importance of backups right?

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