How do i delete a windows xp system from my computer?

Question

I have just added an additional windows xp system to my computer as i could not delete the old one or over right it as some of my keys dont work on my keyboard! Im selling the laptop so would like to get rid of the old system with my stuff on it. The desktop on the original system is not visible - so ive deleted things by using [Ctrl + Alt + Del] but i cant see my recycle bin to completely delete the files. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Reformat the laptop, use the disk in which the original Xp was installed from and follow the steps to reformatting the computer.

Basically reformatting wipes off all data from it and basically makes it the 'factory version' or the version in which the second you bought the computer was on

Answer 2

What do you mean by "added an additional Windows Xp system"? Windows XP is your computer's operating system. Are you saying you tried to install another copy of it over what you had? Your best course of action in this whole process is to (1) backup any important files or programs that you use regularly.....Word, Excel documents, your browser favorites, etc...etc... and then (2) reboot your computer to the Windows XP cd and delete the existing partition and then reinstall Windows XP fresh on a brand new, formatted partition.

** I don't think you're listening. If you're loaded into Windows already, don't stick in your Windows XP THEN and try to reinstall it. You will need to put the Windows XP cd in your cd-rom drive, and restart the computer. You will need to make sure the computer, in the BIOS, is set to first start up from the cd-rom drive. That way you can delete any and all existing Windows XP installations and start completely fresh.

Answer 3

Your best bet would be to insert your windows XP cd and run the install again. This time delete the partition and format the drive. This will delete whatever was one the drive and give you a clean install of Windows. If need be use a external keyboard to run the install. Especially if you are selling it, you want to make sure that your data is gone. There are other methods that will write over the drive numerous times to make sure that your data is gone.

Even using the recycle bin doesn't delete files. It just removes the pointer so Windows can't find the file. The data is still there and there is software out there that can recover this data.

Use a external keyboard for the install. if "L" doesn't work. You may also get some partion software like partition magic so delete the old install.