How to wipe Hard drive & other help

ksun247 · 06-14-2008, 11:39 AM

Help needed... tried using search function, but I keep getting an error message. I'm currently using Windows XP. 1 month ago, I renewed my Spyware Detector, Spyware Doctor and AVG 8.0. Since that day, my computer has been very slow to start up. When browsing the web, the URLs time-out & I also can't access the web at times. I uninstalled both spyware programs and that helped a little. Can't uninstall AVG 8.0. When trying to delete the entire program/folder, the computer won't allow it. Requested help from AVG tech support and still haven't heard from them. I'm still have trouble accessing the web. Want to totally wipe the hard drive and start over. Purchased a Western Digital External hard drive and saved the stuff i wanted onto it. How do I wipe the hard drive? Is there a spyware & anti-virus program that you recommend?

I'm a rookie when it comes to computers. thanks so much.

Rob 1 · 06-14-2008, 02:28 PM

The free versions of AVG or Avast are good virus protection programs.
I would add Spybot S&D and the free Zonealarm firewall so you can monitor outbound traffic.

You want to burn those to a cd so that you can install them prior to accessing the internet once you have finished the windows install.

And I'm assuming you have service pack 2 for your windows disc. If not, you're going to want to download service pack 2 by itself. If you have that then no worries.

To wipe your drive, you should be able to just pop in the windows cd and reformat during the install process.

You will wind up at a point during the install where it will show you all the partitions that are on the disc. Just delete them all one at a time, and start over with a fresh install.

If for any reason Windows can't delete something, you can use the free version of KillDisk to just erase the drive.

ksun247 · 06-20-2008, 03:58 AM

Thanks. I got it the 2nd time around. 1st time programs weren't loading properly. I'm up and running now. THANKS SO MUCH.

06-14-2008, 11:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
ksun247 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP	How to wipe Hard drive & other help Help needed... tried using search function, but I keep getting an error message. I'm currently using Windows XP. 1 month ago, I renewed my Spyware Detector, Spyware Doctor and AVG 8.0. Since that day, my computer has been very slow to start up. When browsing the web, the URLs time-out & I also can't access the web at times. I uninstalled both spyware programs and that helped a little. Can't uninstall AVG 8.0. When trying to delete the entire program/folder, the computer won't allow it. Requested help from AVG tech support and still haven't heard from them. I'm still have trouble accessing the web. Want to totally wipe the hard drive and start over. Purchased a Western Digital External hard drive and saved the stuff i wanted onto it. How do I wipe the hard drive? Is there a spyware & anti-virus program that you recommend? I'm a rookie when it comes to computers. thanks so much.

06-14-2008, 02:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rob 1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 309 OS: XP Pro	Re: How to wipe Hard drive & other help The free versions of AVG or Avast are good virus protection programs. I would add Spybot S&D and the free Zonealarm firewall so you can monitor outbound traffic. You want to burn those to a cd so that you can install them prior to accessing the internet once you have finished the windows install. And I'm assuming you have service pack 2 for your windows disc. If not, you're going to want to download service pack 2 by itself. If you have that then no worries. To wipe your drive, you should be able to just pop in the windows cd and reformat during the install process. You will wind up at a point during the install where it will show you all the partitions that are on the disc. Just delete them all one at a time, and start over with a fresh install. If for any reason Windows can't delete something, you can use the free version of KillDisk to just erase the drive. __________________ You should be running: Antivirus Antispyware Firewall (software or hardware)

06-20-2008, 03:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
ksun247 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Re: How to wipe Hard drive & other help Thanks. I got it the 2nd time around. 1st time programs weren't loading properly. I'm up and running now. THANKS SO MUCH.