Formating Harddrive

[Krafter]

I'm wanting to format my hard drive (I have so much random crap on it), but I'm not entirely sure how. I know I could just delete everything, but I want it to run like brand new :toast: .

I do not have a Windows XP disc as it didn't come with the PC, but I have the Compaq Recovery discs that I made a while ago.

Any help?

[ktr]

run killdisk...

http://www.killdisk.com/

do a low level zero fill in, and your hdd would be clean as a whistle.

[Krafter]

So how exactly do I use killdisk? And will I need to reinstall win xp?

[DanTheBanjoman]

Don't bother with 3rd party software. If you format your disk Windows is gone, so you need to reinstall. ie you will need a Windows disk and you can format during setup.

[Krafter]

Hmm, OK so I can't format unless I buy a new WinXP CD?

[DanTheBanjoman]

Hmm, OK so I can't format unless I buy a new WinXP CD?

You can format, however Windows is on the disk, so when you format it Windows is gone, where will you install Windows from? I'd say a Windows disk.

[Krafter]

Right OK, thanks.

[Pinchy]

What you have to do:

1. Make sure your CD-ROM is set to first boot device, before the hard drive.
2. Put in the recovery CD and start your comp up.
3. When it says "Press any key to boot from disk" press a key.
4. Follow the instructions. Im going to format a comp sometime within the next 2 hours, so i'll post step by step if you need it.

Im pretty sure the recovery CD's work the same as the Windows CD. It all depends on the actual CD, but generally they do.

[Krafter]

Oh cool if the recovery CDs work as I really can't afford to buy a new windows CD right now. I'll give it a try as soon as I backed up everything.
And step by step would be awesome :D .

[Pinchy]

Just found a really good website that has screenshots as well as instructions :).

Here it is:

http://helpdesk.its.uiowa.edu/windows/instructions/reformat.htm

If your recovery CD is different, it should still be step by step. While your doing it, everything will be self explanitory. I recently used a set of HP recovery CD's on a friends laptop, and it was really simple.

Good luck mate, if you have any problems, just post :)!

[Krafter]

Thanks a lot man, does look really easy. I will post if I have any troubles :) .

[keakar]

the only hard part is backing up all your files, format is as hard as watching tv

[Krafter]

OK, I've done it :p . Was very easy, thanks for the help guys.

[keakar]

OK, I've done it :p . Was very easy, thanks for the help guys.

glad your all fixed up. i do mine at least once a year to be safe. there is always something hiding in your computer that gets past all the firewalls and antiviruses and antispyware.

it never seems to work as fast after time goes by. format is like energy drink for your computer lol.