Wiping harddrive

  • Thread starter Thread starter hugs_mindy
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hugs_mindy

This may sound like a basic question, but I can't seem to
locate the specific answer. I want to wipe my WinXP
machine clean and reinstall WinXP. I know I will lose all
drivers, programs and data. I've already insured that I
have the drivers CD, backed up my data and have the
programs to re-install. I simply want to be able to start
from scratch.

Can anyone direct me to the precise steps for this
process? I have my licensed copy of WinXP that came with
my computer when I purchased it 8 months ago.

Thanks,
Mindy
 
You boot the CD (your CD should be set to be the first boot
device in the BIOS).

Select to do a new install after deleting the present
partitions on the drive.


| This may sound like a basic question, but I can't seem to
| locate the specific answer. I want to wipe my WinXP
| machine clean and reinstall WinXP. I know I will lose all
| drivers, programs and data. I've already insured that I
| have the drivers CD, backed up my data and have the
| programs to re-install. I simply want to be able to start
| from scratch.
|
| Can anyone direct me to the precise steps for this
| process? I have my licensed copy of WinXP that came with
| my computer when I purchased it 8 months ago.
|
| Thanks,
| Mindy
 
Mindy;
Clean Installation
Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
Disconnect network/modem cable.
Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key and follow the
prompts for a Clean installation:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase all data on the
hard drive.
Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.

Enable or install firewall BEFORE connecting network cable.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673

Install ALL Critical Windows Updates:
Start/All Programs/Windows Update

After you are finished, you will need to load the appropriate drivers.

If your computer was shipped with Windows XP, these procedures may or
may not apply.
Check your manual or contact the computer manufacturer for more
details.
 
Mindy;
Clean Installation
Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
Click to expand...

Not necessary, but still good advice
Disconnect network/modem cable.
Click to expand...

Completely unecessary. Leave them hooked up if you want. Never had a
problem with this in any of the hundreds of XP OS systems I've built.
Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key and follow the
prompts for a Clean installation:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase all data on the
hard drive.
Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.
Click to expand...

The best advice I've see given in this post. Backup everything
important.
 
Go ahead and leave it connected;
Firewall is disabled by default during installation.
No patches are installed during initial installation.
Perfect situation for getting Blaster as countless others have in
exactly that situation.
It only takes seconds to catch Blaster once the internet connection is
established.
The internet connection will normally be established during setup once
the network card driver is installed.
Long before an opportunity to enable/install a firewall or patches.
No surfing is required for Blaster to find the computer.

Your generalization "Completely unnecessary..." will cause many to get
Blaster and possibly other worms etc.
Mine will protect the computer 100%.
Why is 100% protection "Completely unnecessary"?

It is an necessary step.
Taking it WILL prevent Blaster or other worms entering the unprotected
computer.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


NobodyMan said:
Completely unecessary. Leave them hooked up if you want. Never had a
problem with this in any of the hundreds of XP OS systems I've
Click to expand...
built.
 
I have been doing as you state for the past couple of months now!

An example. One time I forgot to disconnect the DSL. The new install was
infected within 3-5 seconds. I could not even shut down the system fast
enough to prevent it from happening. Had to start over, due to my over
sight, as I demand a clean system on "any" computer I build, whether it be
for myself, or my customers!
 
hugs_mindy said:
This may sound like a basic question, but I can't seem to
locate the specific answer. I want to wipe my WinXP
machine clean and reinstall WinXP.
Click to expand...

Reinstall of the system after booting the XP CD direct. Enter Setup,
and after the license agreement take New Install. When it asks you to
confirm where, hit ESC; select and delete the current partition and make
a new RAW one to be formatted at the next stage

The important point is the delete. Without that it will just go ahead
and make a new install over the top of the old one
 
Go ahead and leave it connected;
Firewall is disabled by default during installation.
No patches are installed during initial installation.
Click to expand...

Let's see:

1. I recently installed XP on a box, and left it plugged in during
install. When I checked the ICF after startup, it was active - and
has been on every installation I have ever done (and that's lots).

2. Don't assume patches aren't installed during installation. The XP
CDs we use are slipstreamed with Service Pack 1, AND automatically
install the Rollup pack that includes the lastest hotfixes. We update
the CDs on a regular basis. Home users can do this as well with no
problems.

3. There are no absolutes in life. I don't assume that everything I
see is the "way it will be all the time." Maybe what's worked for me
hasn't worked for you. But works for me works across over 1,500
computers in my workplace, let alone several computers that I help
friends with on a regular basis.
 
Your own words "Completely unnecessary"
What does that mean to you?
To me it suggests it is NEVER needed and of no benefit at all to
anyone.
Do you mean to speak for everyone?
I hope not.

Countless people have come to these newsgroups with Blaster
immediately after installation.
However if they had followed my "Completely unnecessary" suggestion,
that would have been avoided.

People that come here have various experiences from none to lots.
Their computers have a wide variety of configurations.
I give an answer that will protect ALL of them.
I do not need to confuse them with figuring out configuration details
or contents/type of their OS CD.
There is no need to take a chance on confusing people with details
that may complicate an already inconvenient task.
With the experience you suggest you have, you should not need to ask
this question.
I have news for you...everyone does not share your experience.

You have a custom slipstreamed CDs, not at all typical for the average
home user.
It really does not matter that custom CDs work for you.
The average home user does not have them.
Whether home users can do it or not and how easy to do is not relevant
because the vast majority do not desire to do it.

I will continue to assume the patches are not installed during the
install.
The overwhelming majority of home users have Windows XP Gold or SP1
and no other patches on the CDs.
The overwhelming majority do not have a CD with MS03-039.
If the patches are on the CDs, nothing is lost.
If the patches are not on the CDs, I have just added to their
protection during installation and kept Blaster and others away.
How is this "Completely unnecessary"?
Sometimes an assumption adds a benefit with no additional cost.

If you have 1500 computers in your workplace there is likely a
firewall outside the computer.
In that case a firewall on the computer offers little or no additional
protection.
So again your circumstances are not typical for a home user.
 
You have a custom slipstreamed CDs, not at all typical for the average
home user.
Click to expand...

I guess none of my multitudes of friends are "home users." They know
little to nothing of computers, but saw how I had slipstreamed the Sp1
and rollup pack into the installation CD (I did this at HOME before we
started it at work), found the websites on how to do it, and did it
themselves. These people are all "average home users."
It really does not matter that custom CDs work for you.
The average home user does not have them.
Click to expand...

See comment above. Average home users do use them, and they are
extremely simple to make when following extremely easy step-by-step
instructions found on several websites.
Whether home users can do it or not and how easy to do is not relevant
because the vast majority do not desire to do it.
Click to expand...

I think it's very relevant, especially to our current social climate.
It's very easy to do as I described, yet I agree with your second
statement too - nobody wants to do it. They want somebody to do it
for them, tell them how to do it, whine when simple problems come up
instead of trying to figure out how to fix them on their own...and no,
I realize this isn't everybody, but our culture seems to be moving in
that direction. Look at the problems espoused in most of these
computer groups. 99.99999% of them could be fixed by reading manuals,
or using built-in help systems, but it's easier to whine "HELP" when
you know somebody is going to get tired of the whine and help.

Sorry...I could go on and on but I will stop and check out at this
point.

Oh, and by the way, one last thing. I just did an XP pro install on a
new box not behind a firewall, with the hardware plugged in and a
broadband modem running. This was done with a plain old vanilla XP
Pro CD with no slipstream. I let it run about five hours, and checked
- no virus, no trojans, and ZA (I did install that right away for
logging purposes) reported no activity indicating any bad
programs/worms/viruses were trying to get me. I guess I'm just the
luckiest guy in the world.

I'm out. Peace.
 
I never said you would get something running an unprotected computer.
However you chances are extremely compared to the virtual 0% chance my
procedure provides.
What ever the odds are I do not know.
What I do know is I have lost track of those that got hit.
Your experiences can not be considered a guarantee for anyone.
 
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