After having troubles that I couldn't resolve, I resigned to
reinstalling my OS (Windows XP) figuring to start over with my PC.
I thought that by reinstalling Windows XP, I'd be erasing (or
reformatting) my hard drive. Instead, I've got the OS reinstalled
with files from before still on the hard drive.
I have all the data and software I need backed up and want to start
with a 'clean slate'. How do I go about erasing the hard drive and
starting fresh?
Boot with XP installation CD.
Follow directions until it asks you where you want to install it.
Delete the partitions that exist.
Create new partitions.
Install on the new partitions.
Don't connect to the Internet until you have SP2 installed/Firewall up.
Make your first visit on the Internet to http://windowsupdates.microsoft.com/.
Then install your Antivirus and update it.
Then your active antispyware - if you have any.
Then your applications.
Re: WinXP install ruins two HDs - Help! ... One way that you can avoid reinstalling Windows is to backup your system partition.... Points noted, however, I did not mean to imply that I'm constantly reinstalling Windows every time I encounter the slightest problem. ... It was just a matter of rebooting with the WinXP disk and going through the steps to reformat the C: drive and then install XP on it. ... (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
Re: WinXP install ruins two HDs - Help! ... really completely ruined physical drives before. ... the entire HD and install everything again. ...reinstalling Windows won't make a bit of difference if you ... (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
Re: Computer Infected: ...reinstalling the OS correct this or perhaps using the Recovery disk ... A format & reinstall would take care of it, yes, but a Repair Install would ...[WARNING]... (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
Re: WinXP install ruins two HDs - Help! ... and then try to restore the boot partition from there. ... helpfile and give it a shot--at least maybe I can reuse the drives that way. ... Thank-you again.....I'll try to be more patient about reinstalling to fix ... drive and then install XP on it. ... (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
Re: WinXP install ruins two HDs - Help! ... I restored both my Data and Programs partitions with it onto my new HD after I installed XP on it, but after finally accepting my fate on the other drives didn't think anything would work. ... I haven't used Acronis for very long, but I guess I would just create a boot disk and then try to restore the boot partition from there. ... One way that you can avoid reinstalling Windows is to backup your system partition. ... It was just a matter of rebooting with the WinXP disk and going through the steps to reformat the C: drive and then install XP on it. ... (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
