Format on startup

Discussion in 'Software' started by thehawk71, Feb 17, 2010.

  1. thehawk71

    thehawk71 Private E-2

    How can I delete ALL info on my HD at startup? I can access F10 & DEL. but have no idea how to format my HD for a fresh setup !
     
    thehawk71, Feb 17, 2010
    #1
  2. pclover

    pclover MajorGeek

    Why do you wan to flush your hard drive? Are you selling the computer or something?
     
    pclover, Feb 17, 2010
    #2
  3. LI_Geek_95

    LI_Geek_95 Post-and-Run Geek

    Put in your windows disc, and boot from it. If you choose install, you will have the clean install option.
     
    LI_Geek_95, Feb 17, 2010
    #3
  4. plodr

    plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

    What is the brand and model of computer? There might be a hidden partition that you can access - a lot of times, instead of a disk, that is what manufacturers do. Doing a clean install from the hidden rescue/restore partition will format the hd and return it to its factory condition, including all the drivers specifically for your hardware.
     
    plodr, Feb 17, 2010
    #4
  5. thehawk71

    thehawk71 Private E-2

    Flush - yes
    Sell - No

    Having mega problems with my VISTA so I want to completely eliminate it (and ll the HD if necessary) and want to replace it with a WinXP o/s I've purchased!
     
    thehawk71, Feb 20, 2010
    #5
  6. pclover

    pclover MajorGeek

    Put the XP disc in and then boot from the CD

    It will ask you some options. I would delete all the partitions and then install on the new unallocated space however installing a new os means you will loose all data.
     
    pclover, Feb 20, 2010
    #6
  7. collinsl

    collinsl MajorGeek

    Before you do this, and if it is a new computer, make sure you have a CD with all the drivers for the computer on it - these can be obtained from the website of the manufacturer of the PC.

    Also make sure they actually have drivers for XP, as most modern computers that came with Vista may not actually have XP drivers made for them.
     
    collinsl, Feb 20, 2010
    #7

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