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Windows XP forum: Wiping my Computer completely

by: wertypoboxx2k May 7, 2010 10:49 PM PDT

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Wiping my Computer completely

by wertypoboxx2k - 5/7/10 10:49 PM

I have a computer running windows XP and its been driving me nuts. Ever since my computer last crashed and refused to start up its been a total nuisance. When my computer last crashed and refused to start up I decided to start over and re-install windows. Unfortunately, I ended up doing something which my more computer literate friend calls "Splitting my Computer". Every time I start my computer up it asks me to select which operating system to run: "Windows XP" or "Windows XP". In addition, because my computer has two drives (C and F, F being about ten times bigger) One version of windows uses the big drive (that would be the one that doesn't work) and one version uses the tiny one (that would be the version that just barely works)while I want to be able to access both of them. I have the windows install disk and the key that goes with it, I just need to wipe everything and start over.

tl;dr How do I wipe my computer of EVERYTHING?


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If you truly want to wipe everything

by lacsr - 5/8/10 3:48 AM

In Reply to: Wiping my Computer completely by wertypoboxx2k

Look for DBan: http://download.cnet.com/Darik-s-Boot-and-Nuke-for-CD-and-DVD/3000-2094_4-10151762.html?tag=mncol
or http://download.cnet.com/Darik-s-Boot-and-Nuke-for-floppy-disks-and-USB/3000-2094_4-10911312.html?tag=mncol


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Insert the XP CD and reboot . . .

by Coryphaeus - 5/8/10 5:15 AM

In Reply to: Wiping my Computer completely by wertypoboxx2k

Follow the prompts CAREFULLY! You will be asked if you want to delete partitions and format the drive. You will delete any and all partitions, create one active partition, then install XP in that partition.

You must boot from the CD, not the hard drive. Another question. This second drive. Is it a physical hard drive or a partition on one drive? Also, you must disconnect any attached USB drives or devices.


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Hard drives

by wertypoboxx2k - 5/10/10 12:30 AM

In Reply to: Insert the XP CD and reboot . . . by Coryphaeus

There are two physical drives. One has 30 gigs and the other has 350 gigs.


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