Total System Re-Installation

[Rippy087]

How do I re-install my computer to "factory default", or so its like it is when you just made it and booted it up (clean HD)? Last time I tried re-installing windows it didnt delete any of my programs?

[ghost2003]

Did you install windows over the existing installation? You need to reformat if you want to do a clean install.

[Rippy087]

I installed over, I thought that would automatically clear it. How do I re format?

[tireman]

Change you bios settings for boot order to boot from cd, boot from the os cd and during setup, just reformat the drive and perform the new installation. Using XP I assume?

tireman

[ghost2003]

I think your supposed to chose delete partition or something like that and it will ask you if you want a full or quick format.

[tireman]

Originally posted by ghost2003 I think your supposed to chose delete partition or something like that and it will ask you if you want a full or quick format.

Yes, you can choose to delete the partition and re-create it, but you dont have to. You just choose the partition to install windows to and you can then format it. But, deleting the partition only takes a couple seconds, so it wont hurt to do it.

tireman

[Rippy087]

I actually tried deleting the partition but it told me it had temporary installation files on it so it cant delete it. I'll try the method you said first. Thanks