Best way to wipe out my hard drive?

[Kearnzo]

Hey guys, got a question. My HP laptop is littered with viruses apparently, and i've tried everything to fix it except for just wiping out the hard drive. Problem is, I know it came with a recovery disk, but I can not for the life of me find it. Can anyone recommend a solution? I was in Best Buy, and they had a program you could buy to do it, but it ran at like $40. Just wondering if there was a cheaper way to go about it. Also, after I wipe it out, is there anything else I need to do, or will it just be like new again? Thanks.

[Kane182]

Re: Best way to wipe out my hard drive?

If you have the Windows XP/Vista (Or whatever operating system you are using) you should be able to just boot up with that disc in the drive automatically putting you into windows setup. From there, there is an option to format your hard drive before reinstalling the operating system. This will wipe out everything on your hard drive, so make sure you back up any necessary files before doing this.

[Kearnzo]

Re: Best way to wipe out my hard drive?

If you have the Windows XP/Vista (Or whatever operating system you are using) you should be able to just boot up with that disc in the drive automatically putting you into windows setup. From there, there is an option to format your hard drive before reinstalling the operating system. This will wipe out everything on your hard drive, so make sure you back up any necessary files before doing this.

That disk? Do you mean the recovery one i'd buy from BB, or the recovery disk that came with my laptop? If it's the latter, I can't find that disk. I'm assuming you mean the one i'd have to buy, so if that is, there's no need to buy anything extra? Just get the disk, format the hard drive, then it's back to the beginning?

[Kane182]

Re: Best way to wipe out my hard drive?

It's been so long since I bought a computer new that I forgot that the Windows Operating system is integrated into recovery disks now. I'm wondering if you contact your laptop maker if they might give you a replacement disk or offer a cheaper alternative?

[Kearnzo]

Re: Best way to wipe out my hard drive?

It's been so long since I bought a computer new that I forgot that the Windows Operating system is integrated into recovery disks now. I'm wondering if you contact your laptop maker if they might give you a replacement disk or offer a cheaper alternative?

Good idea. I'll look into that before dropping $40 on a new disc. I appreciate the help man.

[Kearnzo]

Re: Best way to wipe out my hard drive?

One more question. If I had my hard drive completely wiped, would that get rid of Windows XP? Just wondering, because I don't have a disk for XP either, and I really wouldn't want to have to pay for it, as it runs at a pretty high price. Thanks.

[Kane182]

Re: Best way to wipe out my hard drive?

If I had my hard drive completely wiped, would that get rid of Windows XP?

Yeah XP would be gone. If your laptop is relatively new the recovery disk should have XP on it already (at least the manufacturers I have dealt with have it this way). If they are separate then that will suck because I think XP standalone is like $100 still.

[Kearnzo]

Re: Best way to wipe out my hard drive?

Damn, i'd hope the disk comes with XP. Would be much cheaper.

Anyways, thanks man, I appreciate the help!

[daflyboys]

Re: Best way to wipe out my hard drive?

I would think that a recovery replacement disk from the laptop manufacturer would restore it to the initial startup point when you bought it. Therefore, I would think that XP, and any other startup programs, would function. At this point, while waiting for said disk, you'll want to backup any data, pictures, docs, etc. that you can.

[cubanstud21]

Re: Best way to wipe out my hard drive?

You should try out the HP website. They send you out the recovery disk for free but you have to pay like $16 for "shipping".