Before cleaning the HDD

Can you recommend what should be done to a system before you clean the HDD & restore the OS, drivers, applications, etc, to run before you do so?

 

What software do you use to clean the hard drive?

 

I'm talking about before wiping the HD clean. What info & applications & drivers, etc do I need to gather before wiping the HD clean with the discwizard floppys? And what software do I need to use to gather this info so that when I put a new OS on be it Win 98, W2kPro or WXP it will work properly?

 

on my system (emachines) the get started book said to make a backup disc.
the utility was already installed, all i had to do was run it and provide 2 cd-r's.
without the driver discs my onboard video is messed up plus i wont have any lan drivers. it also made a backup of some installed software eg. cyberlinks DVD solution and adobe.

i suggest you read the manual that came with your computer before doing anything else. if you have no manual then goto the manufacturers website and get the info you need.

if you are unconcerned about all of that then it depends on what os you want to set up.

win95 and winME require a boot disc {floppy}. win2000, winXP and later boots from the cd.

 

you need to know how you connect to the net, modem? ethernet?
windows has modem drivers but not all modems are supported.
i don't think windows has ethernet drivers.
windows does not support all video cards.

you need to download and run everest home edition. it will tell you what kind of hardware is in your machine. the download link is here on this site somewhere but i don't know where.
also if you plan on installing win95, 98, or ME then you need to make a boot floppy.
start menu>control panel>add remove programs, along the top click the tab "start up disc" and follow the instructions. after you create the disc make sure it can boot your machine.