How do i delete everything on my computer

[dustinbob]

i got a computer last year and now it runs like crap, so i figured if i delete everything then it will run better. but i need some help cause i have no idea how to delete everything.

all i need to know is 2 things
1) how to delete everything

2) how to install windows when everything is gone

thanks

[Kc2iLq]

Welcome to TechIMO!
If you have the windows installation disk, it's pretty simple. Boot to a win98 startup disk and run fdisk to reformat your partition. Then, pop your windows cd in the drive and reinstall.

-Kc2iLq

[dustinbob]

wow that was fast

what is fdisk anywase and does having windows XP change anything

[Kc2iLq]

Windows XP might require you to reactivate, but that's not a major problem at all. If you have a win98 startup disk, it has fdisk on it. If not, download it here. If your hard drive is over 64Gb, you'll need the new fdisk which is available at the bottom of that page.

edit- With XP, just put the disk in and it will let you delete your old partition and reformat during installation.

-Kc2iLq

[dustinbob]

wow this place is so sweet

ill do that right now

thanks for your help Kc2iLq

[Kc2iLq]

Check my edit above. It's even easier.

-Kc2iLq

[VHockey86]

Yeah, if its XP or 2000 then the CD will work fine without screwing around with fdisk.

Just delete the old partition, create a new one and then fomat (you prolly want NTFS) and install windows, its that simple

---edit---

You'll have to go into setup (BIOS) and change the boot order so that CD-ROM comes before Hard drive

[dustinbob]

so all i have to do is stick the Windows XP cd into the computer at start up and something will happen and all i will have to do is select "DELETE COMPUTER" or something like that.

VHockey86 mentioned something about a BIOS thing, is that important or can i just forget about that

[originel]

you can prolly forget the bios thing. you'll come across a screen pretty early on asking where you want to install windows to and just select your current partition (prolly your only option) and then it will ask you if you want to leave it alone or format it...select "format using NTFS"

[dustinbob]

thank you so much for helping me. you guys are the best