Easiest way to completely clear hard drive?

[JkiD2k2]

Something is definitly screwed up and my computer and deletes my xp profile and stuff so Im going to wipe and do a clean install again... Whats the easiest way I should go about doing this? Also, can you do a full install from an XP home or pro cd?

 

[BlueWeasel]

Yes, you can do a full install from a XP home or pro CD. Just make sure that your CDROM is set to bootable in your BIOS, stick in the XP CD, and restart. During the installation process, you will be given the option to format the drive and clear the data.

 

[Doh!]

You can do a full install from either XP home or pro. The easiest way would be to insert the installation cd and when the installer asks you where to install the os, just select the previous os partition, delete, and recreate the partition, then it will format the partition (you can choose either FAT or NTFS). Make sure you select cd-rom drive as the first boot drive in bio before starting the installation.

Edit: I type too slowly.

 

[VBboy]

The easiest way to do a non-secure HD wipe is to perform a quick format.

Reboot from a disk floppy and type Format /? at the DOS prompt.

 

[MacUser]

Originally posted by: VBboy
The easiest way to do a non-secure HD wipe is to perform a quick format.

Reboot from a disk floppy and type Format /? at the DOS prompt.

What he really meant to say is: after you reboot in DOS mode, type: format C: /q
Assuming they drive that you want to format is C:

 

[glugglug]

the install CD lets your remove partitions/create new ones

 

[VBboy]

Originally posted by: MacUser

Originally posted by: VBboy
The easiest way to do a non-secure HD wipe is to perform a quick format.

Reboot from a disk floppy and type Format /? at the DOS prompt.

What he really meant to say is: after you reboot in DOS mode, type: format C: /q
Assuming they drive that you want to format is C:

LOL
No. How do you reboot in DOS mode from Windows XP ?! :Q

Thus, 1. Floppy disk, and 2. /? to learn how to use the great program called "format"

 

[Trezza]

fdisk

 

[FoolishMcNasty]

a magnet...