How to wipe HDD and reinstall XP

[attybo]

I mistakenly loaded Windows XP Pro off a Dell recovery disk onto a new computer I built and I'm still using that original Dell computer. It obviously can't be on both. I have my own legal copy of Win 98, and also the update to Win XP Home. I want to wipe my hard drive and just reinstall the legal XP Home. I'm willing to lose all data, reload programs etc.

I have tried using my XP Home disk, formatting the drive and reloading Windows Home, but every time I reboot the hard drive has all the original files still on it, including the Windows Pro and all other programs and data that I'm trying to get rid of. What the hey am I doing wrong?

[DynamicTech]

You need to use a zero fill utility to wipe down the disk. You can get derik's boot and nuke or active@ killdisk.

[kev7555]

Sounds like you simply need to delete all partitions before formatting and installing XP Home.

When the first menu comes up press enter to continue installing XP. when the next options screen comes up, choose to delete any selected partitions. then, either set up XP on the raw partition or create new partitions and install XP on whicever you select.

-Kev