Question:
Reinstalling XP with CD, will that delete all files.?
SUbliminallyThinking
2010-03-07 02:34:02 UTC
I am giving a computer away, but I want to make sure everything is erased from it. The computer uses XP OS and I have the original OS CD.

If I go through the process of doing the reinstall, will this delete everything? I know in Vista it saves something called windows.old. Which saves pics, word documents, etc, etc. I don't want this. I want a complete removal of everything besides what is originally put on XP.

If the CD does not delete everything, how would I go about doing this besides going into control panel and manually taking all the programs off?
Nine answers:
Rahul
2010-03-07 02:48:54 UTC
When u install the XP u will ask to specify the drive in which u wanna install the XP, say "C" Drive There will be option to delete the old data. From other as well as C drive . Make sure to format all the drive before installing the XP in ur system, If dont need the old files. If u required the old ones dont format the other drives except C drive,where u are installing the XP..
MrMojo1
2010-03-07 09:09:04 UTC
Let's assume that you'll backup your personal data before reinstalling the OS so that should NOT be a factor, as all the other answers seems to state, which is NOT the issue!



You should re-partition the hard drive then reinstall the entire OS along with the drivers before giving it away (to friends, family or charity, whatever).



MOST people will probably NOT SNOOP around to retrieve any lost information but you never know but repartitioning then reinstalling the OS/drivers IS SUFFICIENT!



If you are PARANOID with privacy issues, then YES, you will need to get software that will wipe the ENTIRE harddrive of data before reinstalling the OS/drivers!



Some are available as freeware (i.e. download.com) or some you may have to purchase!
2010-03-07 04:22:49 UTC
RE-install of Windows



Before you do anything, back up your drivers to a separate CD!

It gets harder and harder to find them, and many places charge to get them.

And reformatting will sometimes 'loose' the drivers or not get the correct one.

With separate CD driver storage, accessing and installing missing drivers is far easier.

Try Driver Magician Lite (freeware);

http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/system…

Use it to identify & back up all drivers for this BU. Always keep it with your unit.



You have to 'boot from CD', which is a setting, found in the BIOS.

From a 'cold' start-up, one of the top row keys (F1-F12) will enter the bios settings. (Many computers will have "Press F? for advanced start-up..." when booting. That may be the one for your particular computer.)

In that BIOS set-up, go to the "Boot Order" or "Boot sequence" section, and set it for the first boot device as the CD. This varies, but usually you highlight what device you want , then use arrows, (or other key) to designate it as #1.

Make sure to "Save and Exit" or your new settings will be lost. (back to default).

Insert the CD, turn off the unit, then restart.

The recovery disk menu should now come up; just select what method you want to use.

"Formatted" erases all data on the hard drive and installs a fresh Windows OS copy; "Repair Windows" only puts a fresh copy of Windows down (in theory, data is not lost).



Be prepared to spend about 3-5 hours baby sitting this process...and 3 more hours configuring your settings, browser, and so on.

Make certain to get Windows updates after re-install & before anything else.
?
2016-10-23 04:13:34 UTC
you will take delivery of strategies while reinstalling XP and a minimum of between the strategies is non-unfavourable. employing this characteristic won't delete your data. Your put in classes will probable no longer proceed to be put in even with the shown fact that, so will would desire to be reinstalled. in spite of everything i might propose backing up your significant data earlier you attempt any re-deploy. James
Mrs Sue E Side
2010-03-07 02:41:56 UTC
boot the cd and press D to delete the partition where xp is currently installed on, do it on all the partitions if there's more, you will then see the deleted partition is now named ''un-used'' or ''unallocated'' meaning their blank, select the largest un-used or unallocated partition and click continue, it will format the harddrive [erase] and then continue to install xp as new.



window old means the person did not delete the partition where vista was currently installed on and installed the new os on the same partition just using the free space on it
Ray KS
2010-03-07 02:44:21 UTC
Reinstall windows, delete the active partition, create a new one and then install XP

After that go to this website



http://cmrr.ucsd.edu/people/Hughes/SecureErase.shtml



download a secure erase program and run it
Chris
2010-03-07 02:40:39 UTC
well reinstalling windows should delete everything but there are ways to recover deleted files on any hard drive. so find a program that would rewrite your whole hard drive with random 1s and 0s. i know there is a program that can do it but i forgot the name of it. hope this helps
Frxstrem
2010-03-07 02:37:51 UTC
Make sure to format the whole hard drive when asked, and you should be just fine.
oli704
2010-03-07 02:36:36 UTC
not if you make a recovering hard drive


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