Boot Up problem

[Rich The DJ]

Hi, i have just dug out my lapto after a few months of no use and when i try to start it up i get the black screen and flashing hyphon. It is only about a year old, and is a packard bell. Also, once i have started it up, how would i go about wiping the whole computer as it would appear to be full of viruses and i would like to remove it all and start again.

Cheers
Rich

 

[PC eye]

With only a recovery disk and hidden partition you would simply rormat the active primary for a recovery of Windows and preloaded software if the software disk(s) also came with it. For a full cleaning of a drive you would need a full version copy of Windows and preferrably a good drive partitioning tool.

GParted live for cd is a free Linux tool that can also delete the current partitions on the drive and create a new NTFS primary assuming you have XP since Vista wasn't out then. A full version would then format and install a new copy of Windows on the new primary. Startup problems however are far from being viruses in many cases but corrupted and missing drivers and other system related files. A total drive wipe isn't alway need but after a year's time?