Easiest way to clean out a computer

[89911]

I just got a new computer and I am giving my old (2 years) Dell to my kids. I want to clean out the hard drive from all the old virus's, spyware, and crap my kids got prior to giving it to them. I also think the hard drive is going. I'm hearing a lot of buzzing and rattling when it spins. Should I just pitch the old one, install a new drive and reload Windows XP. Is it that simple or am I missing something.

[widebody911]

Replace the drive, they're cheap. Before you throw the old one away, physically destroy it, making sure to break up the platters. You never know what's on there...

[RickM]

Originally posted by 89911
Is it that simple or am I missing something.

In addition to Thoms excellent advice you'll want to back-up any software or files that are important to you. Just don't back-up the virus crap.

Do you know how to configure the bios for the drive, use a boot disk, format the drive and install the OS?

[89911]

Originally posted by RickM

Do you know how to configure the bios for the drive, use a boot disk, format the drive and install the OS?

No, which is why I'm hesitant about doing this. Will a new hard drive come with instructions? I'm fairly fluent with computers, I've just never had to do this before and don't feel like shelling out cash to the "Geek Squad" on something I can do myself, (with a little help from this board). Thanks. A quick step by step would suffice.

[widebody911]

Most new consumer-targeted drives come with s/w and instructions on how to handle the upgrade. You should install the new drive, install the OS, then temporaily install the new drive as a secondary to copy stuff from it. If you think the old drive has life left in it, you can always do a low-level format and use it to store your pr0n

[RickM]

I haven't "Fdisked" in quite a while. It's probably different now with XP. I wouldn't mind an up-to-date tutorial either.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by RickM
I haven't "Fdisked" in quite a while.

You need to get out more; find a nice girl, get a few drinks in her, tell her how special she is, and the rest sorta takes care of itself

I've never installed XP. My Windoze evolution stopped @ Wind2kPro. There are zillions of site out there that can lend guidance for PC issues.

[RickM]

I'm sure I could muddle my way through a gen...always nice to have a game plan ready though. My last pleasure was with Win95.

Oh and I'll have to replace the "nice girl" in your formula with my wife.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by RickM
Oh and I'll have to replace the "nice girl" in your formula with my wife.

Hey, if that's what you have resort to, I won't judge...

[Neilk]

If you have a WindowsXP disk, the install is pretty simple. You will be lead to a menu to format your disk during the install. The HD manufacturer will also have formatting utilities with the software they provide. No need to use fdisk anymore. You should partition your drive in two so that you can back up everything to the second partition in case you need to reformat the first.

After you are done copying the data over from the first drive, download a program called Eraser 5.3. You can configure it to completely (suuposed CIA standards) erase the drive and then you can keep it as per Thom's recommendations.

[RickM]

Originally posted by widebody911
Hey, if that's what you have resort to, I won't judge...

Ya never know who's watching (err, reading this stuff)

[Owain]

Originally posted by 89911
I just got a new computer and I am giving my old (2 years) Dell to my kids. I want to clean out the hard drive...

Don't you just want to do a search for *.jpg and then delete everything it finds?

[Neilk]

Originally posted by Owain
Don't you just want to do a search for *.jpg and then delete everything it finds?

Don't forget *.mov, *.mpg, *.mpeg and *.avi

Better yet, avoid the embarrassment and reformat.