Wiping hard drive & partitioning for dummies

I would like to reinstall Windows XP Home Edition in my computer and partition my computer so that it will work as efficiently as possible.

I have been scouring this site and some related sites to understand, but my old brain is not up for the task.

Here's my scenario.

I have a Dell Inspirion 9400 Laptop 60 GB HDD with CD/DVD R/RW, dual processsor.
Software: Microsoft Office - Excel, Word, PPT, Money, games
Use: Home administration, some gaming, internet use

- Should I partition my HDD so that all productivity software runs on one drive and the gaming is done on another? Will this help the computer run more efficiently?

- What exact steps should I take? I downloaded and extracted the DBAN zip file but did not see an .exe.

- I read somewhere that my drivers would be lost. Other than the printer, what other drivers should I copy or find online that I will need? My reinstall CD is titled "Reinstallation CD, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 2".

Thanks all. I appreciate you assistance.

 

I've always found it unnecessary to create multiple partitions. One is fine (for me anyway). Multiple partitions will not speed anything up, and if the hard drive crashes, all partitions are trashed so I see no pluses to it. Besides, when software is installed it goes to C: by default; you'd have to remember to change it to D: or E: or whatever the desired install partition is.... major drag. Anyway- just boot to your XP install CD after backing up your drivers as desribed above. There's plenty of free tools for this in the Driver section here at MajorGeeks. Boot to the XP disc, press any key when prompted, then press Enter when prompted, then press Esc to install a clean copy. If you follow the on screen prompts, read what it says, and use your noggin when reading what it says, it's really pretty easy. You will be given the opportunity to format the drive during the installation of Windows XP. Unless your really worried about someone rebuilding your formatted hard drive, a full wipe isn't really needed unless there's some VERY corrupt clusters; then zeroing the drive may be a good idea....

 

Thanks to both of you who responded.

I tried to format the drive from the Windows XP reinstallation disk and it told me that I could not, which seemed to make sense because how can a computer erase the very drive from which it is working.

I would rather clean it out completely only because if I have to go thru this headache, I might as well do it right, but what do I know. I feel like I'm in over my head.

Then I was reading about the Primary Master, Primary Slave, Secondary Master, and Secondary Slave - to which I responded :cry!!! My understanding is that the C: and D: drives are all on the HDD and that the D:, where CD/DVDs usually run is usually a partitioned part of the HDD. Is this correct?

I'd rather do it myself since I don't like to wait for others to help me, but I almost feel that this is more than my puny brain can handle.

Thanks again.

P. S. At this point, I can't even connect to the Internet on my computer so I'm having to come to the library to do this, so I may not respond right away.

 

I partition for several reasons but I have 2 drives spanning 420GB and keeping things separate helps me in doing as small of a backup as possible. For somethings like programs or music, they are basically static and don't need a daily backup, for my documents/settings and pictures, I like to keep those on a separate partition as they change quite frequently. The other reason I don't install everything to C: is that I can clean install XP without losing much of anything. However, you only have a reinstall disk so the ease of backup would be the only good thing for you. I'm pretty frugal, so I don't buy imaging software though it could be a good thing for you. I hope I made some sense here.

 

Do you want to reinstall windows for any reason? Virus? Messed up something? Dell has ..if your is made after 2004 or 05.. a progrma that will restore Windows like factory new if you start it up and hit F11 or F12.. can't remember which and if you have to hit Ctrl at the same time as the F keys. Your reistall disks will has some drivers for dell..MAYBE 1 or 2. BUT WHEN YOU INSTALL WINDOWS AGAIN - INSTALL THE DELL LAPTOP SYSTEM SOFTWARE FIRST!! Then THE CHIPSET....Then audio...then video...then modems are always last.
Dell's drivers page for your laptop below
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&ServiceTag=&SystemID=INS_PNT_P4_9400&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=
Do you have the install disks for your other software? if not you WILL LOSE all them if they were not included in your Laptop purchase!

 

.
At Chaslang's suggestion, I started cleaning out my computer, and I guess I overcleaned. I deleted using CCleaner. When I tried to do a system restore, it restored icons and I think the registry, but the programs were gone, nor could I access the Internet.

Note: I, of course, do not blame Chaslang.

This is cool! I'll try it.

I don't have this, but I'll see if I can get it online.

I do have them. Thanks for reminding me.

Thanks Jelly Bean! (love the name!)