Deleting entire hard drive

fuzzybud · 07-11-2007, 07:03 AM

I have a Dell desk top which is about 2 years old. Recently the computer has slowed down drasticly. I tried the cleaned up tool which didn't seem to help. I'm thinking of deleting my entire hard drive then reloading all the software. Is this a good idea to restore the computer to what it was like when it was new? Also how is this done? Thank you for your help.

ThatGuy16 · 07-11-2007, 07:08 AM

You put the factory restore or xp disk into the drive and restart the computer and follow the steps, if its a xp disk you will follow the clean install instructions to format the hard drive before it reinstalling windows. More than likely it come with a Factory Restore disk, just follow the instructions....its simple. Any questions just ask.

Roncharlespatton · 07-11-2007, 07:13 AM

well if you go into the controls when the computer is first loaded (from being shut down) then you can say if u want to clean everything from the hard drive to whatever if you say yes its called destructed mode i think if u do that then everything will be gone except the os and any additional software on the computer when purchased that will all stay there (lets say you downloaded America Online instant messaging (aim) ) if you destroyed everything that would be destroyed and you would have to download it again because it was not on the computer at the time it was new. what i would suggest is backing up anything like pictures music ( i had to do a destruction on my pc and lost 2000 songs i forgot about back up) and whatever else important like microsoft word documents. use a flash drive from a store or if u own one i would suggest no less than 1gb (varies by computer if you dont have alot i expect you do since it has been two years) or back it all up on disk like pictures go on dvd's music on cd's (only bad thing about this is that you are required to have a dvd or a cd burner to do those things and i havent found away to transfer the stuff off the disk to the computer again

o well) so i suggest using a flashdrive there quick and easy. ill be happy to help you let me know if this helps

treddstone · 07-11-2007, 07:24 AM

Woah. Mix in some punctuation

Roncharlespatton · 07-11-2007, 07:25 AM

sorry it slows me down if i do what you said

treddstone · 07-11-2007, 07:25 AM

Yeah but its a lot easier to read.

**oscaryu1** · 07-11-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncharlespatton

well if you go into the controls when the computer is first loaded (from being shut down) then you can say if u want to clean everything from the hard drive to whatever if you say yes its called destructed mode i think if u do that then everything will be gone except the os and any additional software on the computer when purchased that will all stay there (lets say you downloaded America Online instant messaging (aim) ) if you destroyed everything that would be destroyed and you would have to download it again because it was not on the computer at the time it was new. what i would suggest is backing up anything like pictures music ( i had to do a destruction on my pc and lost 2000 songs i forgot about back up) and whatever else important like microsoft word documents. use a flash drive from a store or if u own one i would suggest no less than 1gb (varies by computer if you dont have alot i expect you do since it has been two years) or back it all up on disk like pictures go on dvd's music on cd's (only bad thing about this is that you are required to have a dvd or a cd burner to do those things and i havent found away to transfer the stuff off the disk to the computer again

o well) so i suggest using a flashdrive there quick and easy. ill be happy to help you let me know if this helps

So what your saying is...
backup whatever you need so you dont have to reinstall it again
"destructive mode" means reformat
If your going to backup onto a cd or dvd you need an burner...

thats it right?

07-11-2007, 07:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
fuzzybud New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1	Deleting entire hard drive I have a Dell desk top which is about 2 years old. Recently the computer has slowed down drasticly. I tried the cleaned up tool which didn't seem to help. I'm thinking of deleting my entire hard drive then reloading all the software. Is this a good idea to restore the computer to what it was like when it was new? Also how is this done? Thank you for your help.

07-11-2007, 07:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
ThatGuy16 VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Age: 19 Posts: 5,844	You put the factory restore or xp disk into the drive and restart the computer and follow the steps, if its a xp disk you will follow the clean install instructions to format the hard drive before it reinstalling windows. More than likely it come with a Factory Restore disk, just follow the instructions....its simple. Any questions just ask. __________________ CPU: C2D E8400 @ 4Ghz 1.24v HSF: Apogee GTX MB: Gigabyte X38-DS4 Ram: 2x2GB G. Skill DDR2-1068 HDD: 320GB Seagate PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700w OS: Vista Home Premium 64bit GFX: 2x HD4850 Crossfire LCD: LG 22" L226WTQ 3DMark06: 20974

07-11-2007, 07:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
treddstone Silver Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 213	Woah. Mix in some punctuation __________________ <<Thats me! Sharp AQUOS 32" 1080p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV/Samsung 906BW Corsair XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) EVGA GeForce 8800GTX Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz Antec 900/Truepower 650W GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3 LGA 775 Zalman 9700 cooler Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 350GB 3.5" SATA Logitech G5/Saitek Eclipse2/Vista 32bit

07-11-2007, 07:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
treddstone Silver Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 213	Yeah but its a lot easier to read. __________________ <<Thats me! Sharp AQUOS 32" 1080p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV/Samsung 906BW Corsair XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) EVGA GeForce 8800GTX Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz Antec 900/Truepower 650W GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3 LGA 775 Zalman 9700 cooler Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 350GB 3.5" SATA Logitech G5/Saitek Eclipse2/Vista 32bit

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07-11-2007, 07:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
Roncharlespatton banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 498	well if you go into the controls when the computer is first loaded (from being shut down) then you can say if u want to clean everything from the hard drive to whatever if you say yes its called destructed mode i think if u do that then everything will be gone except the os and any additional software on the computer when purchased that will all stay there (lets say you downloaded America Online instant messaging (aim) ) if you destroyed everything that would be destroyed and you would have to download it again because it was not on the computer at the time it was new. what i would suggest is backing up anything like pictures music ( i had to do a destruction on my pc and lost 2000 songs i forgot about back up) and whatever else important like microsoft word documents. use a flash drive from a store or if u own one i would suggest no less than 1gb (varies by computer if you dont have alot i expect you do since it has been two years) or back it all up on disk like pictures go on dvd's music on cd's (only bad thing about this is that you are required to have a dvd or a cd burner to do those things and i havent found away to transfer the stuff off the disk to the computer again o well) so i suggest using a flashdrive there quick and easy. ill be happy to help you let me know if this helps

07-11-2007, 07:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
Roncharlespatton banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 498	sorry it slows me down if i do what you said

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