Need to wipe my hard drive completely

Mini Anden

Mini Anden

New Member
Ive never done this before, am semi noob with computers.

My comp is crashing, running slow, filled with useless programs, and infected with viruses.

What are the steps that I need to take to completely wipe the memory clean, and start with a clean computer so that it runs as good as new?

Also, I have lost my windows xp disks, so what is a good and free operating sytem that I can download? (I mainly use this computer for internet, drawing(solidworks, autocad) and word)

What happens when a hard drive is formatted? how do I install a new operating system?

Thanks.
 
Mini Anden said:
Ive never done this before, am semi noob with computers.

My comp is crashing, running slow, filled with useless programs, and infected with viruses.

What are the steps that I need to take to completely wipe the memory clean, and start with a clean computer so that it runs as good as new?

Also, I have lost my windows xp disks, so what is a good and free operating sytem that I can download? (I mainly use this computer for internet, drawing(solidworks, autocad) and word)

What happens when a hard drive is formatted? how do I install a new operating system?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Ubuntu is a good, free operating system

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop

to install it, you can either download it and burn it to a disc, or, order a disc of them, again, for free. Usually takes a couple weeks to get to you.

When you get it, put it in your computer, boot from the disc, click install, choose your hard drive and click format and then let it install for you.

Formatting "gets rid of" all of the data. It wipes the drive clean so all of it is usable, so make sure you back everyting up first, as you can't get it back again
 
Aastii said:
Ubuntu is a good, free operating system

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop

to install it, you can either download it and burn it to a disc, or, order a disc of them, again, for free. Usually takes a couple weeks to get to you.

When you get it, put it in your computer, boot from the disc, click install, choose your hard drive and click format and then let it install for you.

Formatting "gets rid of" all of the data. It wipes the drive clean so all of it is usable, so make sure you back everyting up first, as you can't get it back again
Click to expand...

Thanks, Ill check out ubuntu now.

I have backed everything up on an external drive. How exactly do I format?

I read about DBAN in another thread, do I need to use this? or is formatting the same thing?
 
do you have any data that you want to keep like pictures or documents? if so then you'll need to put those on something like a usb drive, a cd, or another hard drive.

i would second ubuntu but be careful since it can be a hassle for some people. downloading and burning it to a disk would be easier but that just depends on if you have the software and/or hardware to do it.

EDIT: oops, looks like we posted at the same time. on the ubuntu disk there is a page that allows you to completely reformat the hard drive. very easy to do, essentially just a click of the mouse.
 
couple questions about ubuntu, is it low power? my comp was pretty good back in the beginning of 2007.

Are there daily "donate money please" pop ups?
 
joh06937 said:
do you have any data that you want to keep like pictures or documents? if so then you'll need to put those on something like a usb drive, a cd, or another hard drive.

i would second ubuntu but be careful since it can be a hassle for some people. downloading and burning it to a disk would be easier but that just depends on if you have the software and/or hardware to do it.

EDIT: oops, looks like we posted at the same time. on the ubuntu disk there is a page that allows you to completely reformat the hard drive. very easy to do, essentially just a click of the mouse.
Click to expand...


Ill download and burn a disk
 
Mini Anden said:
couple questions about ubuntu, is it low power? my comp was pretty good back in the beginning of 2007.

Are there daily "donate money please" pop ups?
Click to expand...

You will be fine, I have it running on a computer that is 7 years old. And there are no "GIMME MONEY" popups or ads or anything.
 
You don't need to use DBAN to format. If you are installing ubuntu it will have a step that will format/partition your drive.
 
Guys seriously....

Mini Anden said:
i really have no idea :eek::confused::(
Click to expand...

Look this person hardly knows how to format a disk. A completely new OS? Are we really suggesting a linux distro?

Free yes, easy for beginners definatley no (with respect guys, its simply not a beginners process). its one thing for the OP to install it successfully, completely another to ensure device's work, software etc etc. hmmmm...

To the Mini

First, what computer is this exactly as it may have the ability to return it to its orignial state -ie, as you recieved it new.

To find this out, please download PC Wizard from my signtature (in green) and install it. Then open PC Wizard and go to FILE, SAVE AS, and then click ok, and save the text file on your desktop (call it anyting you want). Open that text file and copy the text into this thread.

Then i will try and determine if you have a recovery partition. If so its simple. If not... its still quite easy

Get yourself a legit copy of Windows XP on ebay for $40 - even cheaper if you just buy the legit key of ebay and then borrow someones XP CD to install. This is completely legal*. The alternative IMHO is hours of pain with Linux which costs too ;)

*im not a lawyer - but thats how MS distributes a lot of their software now - the cd means little in a world of downlaods.
 
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bigfellla said:
Guys seriously....



Look this person hardly knows how to format a disk. A completely new OS? Are we really suggesting a linux distro?

Free yes, easy for beginners definatley no (with respect guys, its simply not a beginners process). its one thing for the OP to install it successfully, completely another to ensure device's work, software etc etc. hmmmm...

To the Mini

First, what computer is this exactly as it may have the ability to return it to its orignial state -ie, as you recieved it new.

To find this out, please download PC Wizard from my signtature (in green) and install it. Then open PC Wizard and go to FILE, SAVE AS, and then click ok, and save the text file on your desktop (call it anyting you want). Open that text file and copy the text into this thread.

Then i will try and determine if you have a recovery partition. If so its simple. If not... its still quite easy

Get yourself a legit copy of Windows XP on ebay for $40 - even cheaper if you just buy the legit key of ebay and then borrow someones XP CD to install. This is completely legal*. The alternative IMHO is hours of pain with Linux which costs too ;)

*im not a lawyer - but thats how MS distributes a lot of their software now - the cd means little in a world of downlaods.
Click to expand...

Linux is barely harder to figure out than XP. Before I turned 12, I figured it out. You just have to put a little bit of time into it. But, if there is a recovery partition, then yes, I would use it. If not, I wouldn't spend the 40 bucks.
 
You're a platinum member, this person (the OP) is a noob... and did you really have to quote my whole post?

Whether or not you think $40 is worth a legitimate widely supported stable familiar operating system that any of the OP's mates can help fix comes down to what your hourly rate for time is, because trawling through linux forums to make your printer work is not really something to get joyful about.

I charge out at $150 / hr for work so that is 15 minutes work for the key or

even better, the Mini probably has a legit key already, but either has a restore partition or needs a restore DVD ($10 on ebay). That would be my suggestion considering you have backed it up.
 
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bigfellla said:
Guys seriously....



Look this person hardly knows how to format a disk. A completely new OS? Are we really suggesting a linux distro?

Free yes, easy for beginners definatley no (with respect guys, its simply not a beginners process). its one thing for the OP to install it successfully, completely another to ensure device's work, software etc etc. hmmmm...
Click to expand...

To be fair, the OP asked if there was a good free option. There is. It's not as complicated as you make it seem. Ubuntu is amazingly friendly for new users. Using an iPod is likely difficult but there is probably 1000s of articles about how to do it.

even better, the Mini probably has a legit key already, but either has a restore partition or needs a restore DVD ($10 on ebay). That would be my suggestion considering you have backed it up.
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Again, the OP asid in their first post they have lost the restore cds so they need to be taught how to retrieve their cd key and they need to find a copy of their restore cds or a windows cd. Yes, this is a good and familiar option but it is not the only one.

And quite frankly, I don't care if you charge $150/hr.
 
Firstly the charge out rate was simply making the point that people will spend many hours trying to save $40, its false economics.

Secondly, instead of repeating yourself about the key retrival how about suggesting a solution:

to the OP

1. Download Magic Jelly Bean and note down the serials so they are available when you reinstall XP http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

2. Purchase, borrow or buy a Windows XP cd, can get them for under $10 on ebay

3. reinstall xp by inserting the XP disk and making the computer boot from it to install.

and thridly, frankly i never said this was the only option, just the best under these circumstances
 
Im going to jump right in the middle here and agree with bigfella. For a noob XP is the best way to go, When i first played with linux a few years ago i was completely lost and there are still a few simple things i have to look up to do, XP is more user friendly and going to be less headaches for this person. Keep it simple
 
Firstly the charge out rate was simply making the point that people will spend many hours trying to save $40, its false economics.

Secondly, instead of repeating yourself about the key retrival how about suggesting a solution:
Click to expand...
It's not an entirely accurate comparison. Do you compare your 'charge out rate' to hours spent driving to work? Or what if you don't have $40 to spend? Or maybe you just want to try fixing something yourself where at worst you are right where you started (need to format and start over).

Also, that was the first time I mentioned key retreival. We don't even know what the OP wants to do. You brushed off their question if there was an alternative free OS and suggested reinstalling XP. That's a perfectly fine option.
Im going to jump right in the middle here and agree with bigfella. For a noob XP is the best way to go
Click to expand...
Yes, XP is easier because it is familiar. I don't disagree with that point. But even Dells can be shipped with Ubuntu now (www.dell.com/ubuntu there's some partial truths here but even Dell says it's as easy as Windows), it's no where near as difficult as it used to be.

To the OP, incase it's not obvious, they are right. XP is familiar and easy to use for most everyone. You wont have any learning curve there. At the same time Linux isn't the nightmare everyone makes it out to be anymore. It's which ever way you want to go, both OSes have advantages and disadvantages.
 
Well i had trouble formatting manually. dos -> format c: , y/n? -> y -> wouldn't let me for some reason.

I tried dban a few different ways, new version, older version, burnt on dvd, (both bootable disk, and normal), and usb.
It just wouldn't run for me, perhaps I was doing something wrong.

Found killdisk by searching around the forum, this worked easy, only did one pass zero though, I suppose that should be enough.

Im pretty sure the hard drive is wiped now, cause when i turn the pc on, it says something like insert boot disk. On a side note, the on/off button works way faster now.

I downloaded ubuntu, am interested in trying something new. Will burn the disk in a few days and try then. Hopefully the installation works easy without a hiccup.
 
When you put the Ubuntu disc in, you can give it a risk free try by choosing, "boot live CD." You will literally be running Ubuntu off of the disc. You might not be able to get on the Internet this way though.

XP is more user friendly than few years ago Linux. XP is just as user friendly as modern Linux, however. I just went through a Linux installing spree on Thursday. Puppy Linux, Damn Small Linux, Knoppix, Ubuntu, and settled on Fedora 13 (have a weird, proprietary monitor--long story).

I have to say all of these particular modern Linux distros really are as easy to install as Windows XP. Linux has come a long way from a few years ago. If the OP installs Ubuntu, he or she doesn't really need to do anything. I didn't even have to setup a network connection for any of these. Everything is GUI now. Firefox was already installed.

Wait--ok getting flash to work might be a little tricky but not too bad--it is also all GUI based. Terminal is there, but if all the OP does is look at photo albums and browse the Web, he or she will be fine. What's to lose? It's free.

EDIT: Here's the thing. You won't be able to run autocad or Word anymore. For Word, you can use the open-source, free equivalent: OpenOffice. I don't know what Linux users run as an autocad substitute. That might be a deal breaker, I just don't know. Googling "Linux autocad" might reveal something.
 
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Umm...guys i have read all these posts and all has failed to mention that this machine being purchased from a retail store would and should have the Windows XP Product Key taped either on the side of the pc if its a desktop or under the machine itself if it is a laptop. Just find a friend with a XP install disc put this code in and do a full format and reinstall of Windows XP on the hard drive and you are good to go once again costing the OP not even a single cent.
 
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