[daisychick321999]

I'd like to wipe my desktop clean and start fresh. I got a laptop and use that for myself but my desktop is loaded with all my old files which take up tons of space so I'd like to just get rid of all of it so my husband can add what he wants without navigating all the crap I had on there. So my question is what is the best way to do this? I have the Windows XP disk that came with the system. Does formatting also wipe the registry clean? What about any spyware or junk that I may have picked up without realizing it? Thanks so much in advance for all your help!

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In figure 6, choose delete the partition, type D and press enter, then L then press enter, use the default NTFS format, not quick, check it is creating a RAW1 partition on C, if the drive letter is different, press the restart button

http://www.theelderg...l_-_graphic.htm

http://www.theelderg...l_-_graphic.htm

This will remove everything from the drive, you could also use Boot and Nuke, though this will add 8 hours or so

To completely erase all data on the drive(s)

Download Boot and Nuke

Using Boot and Nuke

Use the autonuke option, which could take 8 hours or so, then when you run Windows set up, check it is creating a RAW1 partition on C, if the drive letter is different, restart the PC and it should default to C

[Retired Tech]

In figure 6, choose delete the partition, type D and press enter, then L then press enter, use the default NTFS format, not quick, check it is creating a RAW1 partition on C, if the drive letter is different, press the restart button

http://www.theelderg...l_-_graphic.htm

http://www.theelderg...l_-_graphic.htm

This will remove everything from the drive, you could also use Boot and Nuke, though this will add 8 hours or so

To completely erase all data on the drive(s)

Download Boot and Nuke

Using Boot and Nuke

Use the autonuke option, which could take 8 hours or so, then when you run Windows set up, check it is creating a RAW1 partition on C, if the drive letter is different, restart the PC and it should default to C

[daisychick321999]

The OS on the desktop now is XP, are the instructions the same since I'm not upgrading?

[Retired Tech]

Except when you get to figure 6 when it will show you a partition instead of no partition

[daisychick321999]

I give you permission to shoot me for so many questions and not doing this research before coming here to harass people, lol, but I have a Dell and apparently it is loaded with a PC Restore function which is supposed to put the computer back to the way it was shipped to me. My question is do you know if that includes cleaning the registry and getting rid of any spyware or viruses not already removed? Thanks for putting up with me!

[Retired Tech]

I would say yes to everything but spyware and viruses, however, you could use the restore function then check it for viruses

Which make and model Dell?

[daisychick321999]

Dell dimension 3000

[Retired Tech]

This is optional, but do you want to run this to find out if it is just a case of deleting files you no longer need, rather than anything else

http://pccheckup.del...about_frame.htm

http://pccheckup.del...223842360347721

If you don't want to run it, post back and I can look for the details