Best Way to Clear HDD and keep OS?

xDRx · 04-13-2008, 03:29 AM

Since I'm in the process of getting a brand spankin' new computer and selling my current one. I need to clear the HDD for the next user. Just need to know the way to clear the HDD and keep my OS. Theres 2 partitions on the drive with 1 being all my info and the 2nd the recovery partition if that helps...

Thanks alot guys!

**Deleted090308** · 04-13-2008, 03:39 AM

Hi

Sounds like your OS is an OEM version.
Keeping it without buying a new license is illegal.

And - it will most likely not work in another computer anyway (unless you "prepare" it).

**sobeit** · 04-13-2008, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xDRx

Since I'm in the process of getting a brand spankin' new computer and selling my current one. I need to clear the HDD for the next user. Just need to know the way to clear the HDD and keep my OS.

clarification - you do mean you want to keep the os on the old computer for when you sell it?

If so, if you have a recovery cd or partition, you may be able to roll back to day one. What make and model is the computer?

xDRx · 04-13-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sobeit

clarification - you do mean you want to keep the os on the old computer for when you sell it?

If so, if you have a recovery cd or partition, you may be able to roll back to day one. What make and model is the computer?

Yes thats exactly want I want to do.

I do have a recovery partition on the Hard drive.

Its a Compaq Presario SR1803WM Model.

BTDT · 04-13-2008, 10:15 AM

Does your current install of Windows have a feature to allow you to create a set of recovery disks. (Usually created from the recovery partition)

If so, then I suggest you create a set of these recovery disks and start from scratch.

The recovery disks will contain all the drivers and software initially supplied with the machine, and set it back to the way it was when you bought it.

The new owner will probably appreciate a set of recovery disks too.

The recovery process may also be able to be done without having to create the recovery disks. On the Acer PC's (of old) you could press the F10 key as the BIOS splash screen was being displayed, and the machine would boot from the recovery partition and copy an image of the system to the boot partition.

I'm not exactly sure of the process for the Compaq (HP).

**Deleted090308** · 04-13-2008, 01:22 PM

Compaq's instructions: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...1843685&dlc=en

xDRx · 04-22-2008, 02:39 PM

When I click the link it doesn't give me any info...

??

04-13-2008, 03:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
xDRx Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 48 OS: Windows Vista Premium x2	Best Way to Clear HDD and keep OS? Since I'm in the process of getting a brand spankin' new computer and selling my current one. I need to clear the HDD for the next user. Just need to know the way to clear the HDD and keep my OS. Theres 2 partitions on the drive with 1 being all my info and the 2nd the recovery partition if that helps... Thanks alot guys!

04-13-2008, 03:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Best Way to Clear HDD and keep OS? Hi Sounds like your OS is an OEM version. Keeping it without buying a new license is illegal. And - it will most likely not work in another computer anyway (unless you "prepare" it).

04-13-2008, 10:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
BTDT Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Perth, West Australia Posts: 9 OS: Windows XP	Re: Best Way to Clear HDD and keep OS? Does your current install of Windows have a feature to allow you to create a set of recovery disks. (Usually created from the recovery partition) If so, then I suggest you create a set of these recovery disks and start from scratch. The recovery disks will contain all the drivers and software initially supplied with the machine, and set it back to the way it was when you bought it. The new owner will probably appreciate a set of recovery disks too. The recovery process may also be able to be done without having to create the recovery disks. On the Acer PC's (of old) you could press the F10 key as the BIOS splash screen was being displayed, and the machine would boot from the recovery partition and copy an image of the system to the boot partition. I'm not exactly sure of the process for the Compaq (HP).

04-13-2008, 01:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Best Way to Clear HDD and keep OS? Compaq's instructions: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...1843685&dlc=en

04-22-2008, 02:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
xDRx Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 48 OS: Windows Vista Premium x2	Re: Best Way to Clear HDD and keep OS? When I click the link it doesn't give me any info... ??