Need Help with wiping laptop clean

I'm hoping I'm posting this in the right forum...I need some help with my laptop...its an older one and I just want to totally restore it...I think this is what I want...I do not want anything on at all...no files nor programs...nothing...I'll add programs after I do this...I don't need to back anything up as everything has already been transferred to new laptop...Can anyone tell me how I do this please? I'm hoping that by doing this it will maybe be fast again...I really only want to use it for pleasure now...I won't be storing anything on it. Thanks for any help you can offer:wave

 

So are you wanting to just wipe the HD then right?

Try Killdisk freeware.

http://www.killdisk.com/

 

Ya I want to just start from fresh...I cant get it connected to internet yet either...trying to figure out how to link it to my wireless...

 

Then that's your answer. It will definitely kill all information and write zeros to your hard drive.

don't forget the thanks button. :-D (shameless promotion)

 

sorry I went back in to tell you I cant get into the internet yet...so how do I do this with out internet? And thanks...lmao

 

Well that is a problem.

You could goto an internet bar, library, etc, and download it to a USB stick and then run it on your system. You would boot to the USB when your computer starts up and then run Killdisk from there.

 

Ok let me ask you this...how do I get it connected to my wireless connection...I have a linksys router and it is secured...its asking for a key thing and I have no clue where it is or what it is...

 

Separate issue, but if the mods allow me some latitude? wave

I would reset the router, look for a reset button on the back or the bottom of it. That will reset it to default and I believe it will not have a password key to enter in to connect. Once you do that, you should be able to view wireless networks and then connect without issue...again, presumably. :major

 

Ok finally got connected...couldnt remember the password...geesh...ok running killdisk.com now...hope its not difficult

 

OK another question...I'm downloading it but dont know which one I need...the free oner obviously but there's a few to choose from...so I chose the suite free with everything...yes/no? Am I gonna have to install windows again?

 

Ok I dont have a clue on what I'm doing with this...why cant this be easy for dumb dumbs...I dont kno what I'm clicking and nothing is happening...all programs are still there...isnt there an easier way...maybe something I can understand? lmao

 

I just want to get absolutely everything of this old laptop and start from fresh...I dont want any of the programs that have been installed or anything on here...i just want to use it for personal use and its slow as it is thats why I dont want any programs on here...so how do I just totally make it new without any programs...

 

This is a old laptop...IBM Thinkpad...dont know what else you need...but i'm liking your way cuz I just want it empty like...if you can understand what I mean...I appreciate your help...

 

OK so I restarted and kept hitting F8 and do I need to go into safemode? Please help:cry

 

let me try...when I was pushing f8 it took me to the safe mode screen etc and i didnt see anything saying reset to factory settings...let me try f 12...

 

Please dont confuse me more than I already am...lol...I dont know how to get to the bios...i do have the xp cd in the drive and i am restarting now...now what?

 

Ok...I'm at the IBM BIOS Setup Utility screen...is this gonna totally clean this laptop to where there is nothing on it...thats what I'm trying to do...

 

And how do I set up the boot up? I'm totally lost here...have no clue...

 

I dont get what am I changing what to...I'm at the boot screen...

 

I got a friend to walk me thru this...I think I got it its loading now...Thanks for all the help