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.win...exfullpage.htm

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by DMeis 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.

Originally Posted by DMeis 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]

Originally Posted by Cricket You can use a zero-fill utility like DBAN. 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