Reformat Hard Drive

[gafee2001]

I have an XP PC system that I want to "roll back" to what it was like when I first purchased it. Does anyone have a good set of instructions to do this, or have a good website to explain it?

Thanks!

[lancenweman1978]

it's been a while since XP for me. But I distinctly remember it for the first time for a windows edition to have the option to do a fresh install w/o the disc.

I don't remember if it has the option that Vista has that when you do a fresh install it puts your former files into the (windows.old) folder, so obviously you will need to do a backup of your personal files, unless XP does have a similar feature.

If you are not pretty familiar with this process, given the millions of different PC setups out there, you may or may not experience problems. I won't list them because there are too many variations, but a standard system with decent specs shouldn't have much prob. I do a fresh install of my Vista no less than every 90 days, but i enjoy streamlining my system.

This is a smart idea if your PC is kinda out-dated - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310994   - download bootable disc

Another important thing to know about your XP version - Home or Professional - also which type to install FAT32 and NTFS. you'll need to know in advance.

Ensure you install to C: drive.

Make sure you have your Windows product key/serial number.  - otherwise your windows will expire after 30 days and the system will be unusable w/o the code number

you will have 2 choices now, without the CDROM of XP  you can

1. Click on My Computer then C: - WINDOWS - i386 - winnt32.exe. This is the a part where a lot of people get confused. They realize that a copy of their Windows XP CD is here, but they look for the wrong files. Most people will try to find a file named "Setup", "Install", or "Windows". The file you are looking for is called "winnt32.exe".

or
(this was my preferred method)
2. Find the option to do a reinstallation ( cannot remember how to do it as it has been years, but it was quite simple. If you know someone familiar with XP reinstalls then if they know what they are doing there is a neat little screen to choose the option to reinstall the OS w/o a disc. ( I used to do this all the time)


once you've done the fresh install and are back to square one (hopefully you had all your required drivers for components, if not time to start downloading, that is if you have internet access for the PC in question) once you get SP2 - use this to optimize your system - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=68C48DAD-BC34-40BE-8D85-6BB4F56F5110&displaylang=en

Enjoy your freshly installed OS !!!

[deekeepinitreal2009]

Hey that is great advice and i think I am going to try and do that. I do not have none of the cds for my pc but i need to wipe evrything out and start over

[samrhett2]

XP also has a function that allows you to reset everything to an earlier period in time.  It is called System Restore.  Config and things are auto saved every so often.  I don't think this deletes documents and things that you might need, but rather resets the systems to the way it was on that date.  You can check it out by going to Systems Tools.  I have used it if my computer all of a sudden starts having a problem and I can't pinpoint why.  I will go back and restore it to a day when it was working properly.

[lynnc35]

Do you have the software that came with your computer when you got it. I am running on windows vista, and each time I wanted to reformat my whole computer I would rerun the windows vista software, but make sure you have the code for the software should be on the computer.
Also anytime you are running your computer software over, make sure you have all your files copied, pictures, movies, music etc. So you will be able to put them back on your computer, unless you dont want to save them, it may let you save, but I find it easier to get what you need and have it at your fingertips.

[marcar1008]

  I had to clean mine. I got this antivirus VIRUS that took over my computer. I couldn't uninstall and it would not let me use it unles I purchase this antivirus program. I  wasn't able to restore either. I had to start all over with my Windows XP cds. By the way the anitvirus was called "Windows Police" keep an eye    on that.

[liljp617]

Google "Reformat hard drive windows XP"

There are dozens of how-to guides on the subject...