How difficult to wipe down hard drive and re-install Windows XP

maverickmarketing

maverickmarketing

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OK, I admit it. I am no tech guy. I know enough to be dangerous. With that said, how difficult would it be for a non-tech guy like me to wipe down the HD of one of my PCs and reinstall Windows? I just want a fresh start with this PC.
 
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Easy. Just make sure you backup.

Check youtube.

Not sure if any of these are good but, just go to the page and look to the side for a good one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9coQ_ointB0&feature=related
 
Last edited:
place cd in drive, boot to the windows setup. delete old windows partition, install windows
 
I do that several times a year, it is the only way to get rid of some pesks. After you reinstall everything and update, use acronis and do a backup of your hard drive. To reinstall this backup is a breeze, meaning, if you need to do this again, it will take you 5 minutes.
 
I just did it to my computer about month and half ago and it was fairly simple, no need to pay $150 to a techie. Youtube is your best friend in this situation. Also, you want to back up your files to a disk first so that you don't have to reload them all again. :o
 
Insert Windows CD, reboot Computer, boot from CD, delete old partitions, make new partition, install Windows on said partition!

By the way, the install I recommend is the "Windows XP Pro SP3 - activated and updateable". I've installed this sucker hundreds of times and it works very well. Also, Ghost your OS after you install and update Windows and it'll save you ton of time...
 
Funny you say this, I installed XP on my laptop last night, downgraded from windows 7.

Make sure you've backed up your drivers!
 
easy -- make sure you have drivers on usb

windows 7 is even eayier -- as you should not need any drivers
 
Download Black Xp Lon a torrent site and install. It has most drivers and has all the software you will need like Microsoft office, anti virus, etc.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
The Captain said:
place cd in drive, boot to the windows setup. delete old windows partition, install windows
Click to expand...

Deleting a partition does not wipe the data on the disk.

I recommend using http://www.dban.org/. If you have a bootable Linux disk, you could also run:

Code: 
sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda

(or /dev/hda) to fill the hdd with zeroes.
 
cbar126 said:
I do that several times a year, it is the only way to get rid of some pesks. After you reinstall everything and update, use acronis and do a backup of your hard drive. To reinstall this backup is a breeze, meaning, if you need to do this again, it will take you 5 minutes.
Click to expand...

Is there a better solution without the price tag? $49 every 3 months could be a little too much.
 
Norton Ghost 11 can be acquired for free - great backup tool.
 
maverickmarketing said:
OK, I admit it. I am no tech guy. I know enough to be dangerous. With that said, how difficult would it be for a non-tech guy like me to wipe down the HD of one of my PCs and reinstall Windows? I just want a fresh start with this PC.
Click to expand...

I really thought you were joking with this post. Ummm lets see Step one put in the windows disk and restart your PC......Then just follow the instructions. LOL Good luck (Make sure if it doe's not auto detect just go in BIOS and set the boot sequence to boot the drive where the disk is located)
 
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