Windows XP forum: How can I wipe this computer?

It was a family computer, so their is a bunch of crud on it. So if I put the disk in it will wipe everything?

Wiping means you lose all non-crud things also. That's not only the necessary drivers (that you'll have to find and re-install), but also software you want to use (for example, antivirus, MS Office etc). You can only reinstall those if you have both the original setup-program or disk and the license key.
As I said, it's a lot of work.

Kees

I have both and I truly don't want anything that's on there. It will be easier for me to restart from the bottom, than getting rid of things one by one. If I knew how to take it to factory settings that would be great. I have found a reset but its a save point from 2 months ago and that gets me no where.

There is no make/model computer with "Cooler Master" as a maker. That's a case or power supply maker.

What you have a clone made of many makes and models and why there is no install procedure. The seller probably either built it or bought it and you are now the proud owner of a clone.

If you want to start over, go right ahead but you have been warned of the difficult road ahead.

You bring up a good question. Are the days of Windows coming to a close as folk find out how hard and ugly a Windows XP install can be? That is, is it too much to ask today that the owner of a PC know all that the PC is, the make, and how to find drivers and what order to install them in?

I find most folk are not ready for a Windows XP install. Some of them rant or slam others for not knowing how to install XP on their custom PC.
Bob

You're killing me smalls, my grandfather put the computer together. I wish this would be as easy as my laptops with the "alt-f10". There is the xp system recovery but like I said it goes only as far as two months ago.

That's not standard Windows. That's something the big laptop makers build into their machines to lower the pressure on their helpdesk. Now, with any software problem they can't immediately solve they tell you to press alt-f10 and everything will be fine again.

Time to visit your grandparent (if he still lives).

By the way, that software that goes back 2 months is called 'system restore' not 'system recovery'. That's standard Windows XP (and higher). Only Windows 8 has more.

Kees

Honestly, all you've done is given me some good information on what stuff means. Thankyou for your time I'll try and figure it out.

It's really rough without the make/model of every part in the PC. And to make matters worse, some folk don't know what's inside!

If you can get all the parts then the drivers I look for and install in order strongly follow the order you see at the following link.
Bob

-> http://forums.cnet.com/7726-7587_102-2699006.html

What should I look for when I delve inside?

Or do a Google search. It's best you read all the info provided, you learn so much more that way..

Basically to restore you PC to Factory Settings: press the F10 key multiple times during bootup to get access to the recovery console.

However, since your grandfather built the PC and installed the OS, there is no guarantee the restore partition is even on the HDD. Try it and see.

Rose