How to wipe my hardrive clean?

[DMeis]

Well I finished my first computer build and had a friend come over and install Ubuntu on my computer. It was fine for awhile but having to reconfigure a bunch of files to just play my games was getting frustrating. So I ordered XP and it just came in and I was wondering how do I take everything off my hardrive so I can install XP? Approximately how long would it take to install XP and all the necessary drivers and ISP?

[shadowpr]

http://www.windowsxpprofessional.windowsreinstall.com/sp2installxpcdoldhdd/indexfullpage.htm

[Cricket]

I was wondering how do I take everything off my hardrive so I can install XP? You can use a zero-fill utility like DBAN. (http://dban.sourceforge.net/)Approximately how long would it take to install XP and all the necessary drivers and ISP?Depends on how fast your computer is. I usually set aside at least 4 hours to install Windows, all necessary drivers, system utilities, security software, the programs I use and system tweaking...I don't like to rush.

:) Cricket

[shadowpr]

You can use a zero-fill utility like DBAN. (http://dban.sourceforge.net/)
:) Cricket


Wouldn't just doing a fresh install and letting windows setup delete the partion and then format the drive do the same thing? Or is it a bit different since it's Ubuntu? Just curious.

[Cricket]

I've never used any of the Linux variants so I don't know how their partitioning scheme works. Just to be safe I would zero-fill the hard drive and then do the Windows installation on a empty hard drive.

:) Cricket

[glc]

Just repartitioning it will not get rid of the Linux boot loader. A zero fill is the best way.

[DMeis]

Thanks guys but I couldnt get any of it to work. I tried to get the CD to boot first but that didnt work. So I downloaded DBAN and burned it to a CD. Tried to use that and you need windows to use it. I'm I technologically challenged or do computers just hate me.

[Cricket]

You don't run the DBAN CD from Windows. You use the DBAN CD like a boot CD. Go into the BIOS and set the first boot device as the CD-ROM drive. Put the DBAN CD in the drive and Save and Exit the BIOS. The computer will boot to the DBAN CD and you just follow the on-screen instructions.

:) Cricket

[glc]

You also have to use burning software capable of burning an .iso - it's an image, much the same as a saved project. You don't simply copy the .iso file to the CD. If you don't have Nero or Roxio, you can download the free version of Deepburner, it's capable.

www.deepburner.com