How do you delete everything off of a computer?

Question

Im getting a computer for free and I know it has tons of viruses and i dont even know if it will take me to the windows homedesktop. What do I do if it doesnt take me to the desktop and how will i delete everything? Plz help!!! Thanks U. Oh and btw its windows XP

Answer 1

This will delete everything:

http://www.dban.org/

You could also install an OS that isn't plagued with viruses, such as Linux - that can delete everything off as part of the standard install.

Answer 2

burn you computer!!!! (or at least the hard drive)

Answer 3

if it comes with its DVDs you can boot from the xp dvd.

then get and run avg, ccleaner, adaware, spybot S&D

  free 

that will get the nasties out of your hard drive and registry

Answer 4

Reformatting the hard drive is the easiest way.

Answer 5

when you install new O/S you will have the opportunity to delete all files and reformat. If the disk has been partitioned install windows on c:\ after clean and format when your computer is up and running windows go into windows explorer right click the second partition in the menu that drops down click on format and choose quick its that simple

Answer 6

First off, do not connect this computer to a network at all!  Viruses may be able to spread!

To get rid of everything, viruses included, your going to have to format the hard drive.  If you do this though, there will be no operating system to boot from.

To format it simply get Windows OS disk and pop it in before the computer starts up - it should load from the disc and give you different options on partitions, recovery, etc.  Choose the formatting option.  This can take up to 3-5 hours or more depending on your system.  After you do this, install the OS again and it should work perfectly.

If you're not able to do all this and live the Minneapolis, MN area, I do this work for an affordable price other wise find someone, try locally first, to do this for you.

Answer 7

DO NOT do the thing that has to do with dban.org! That will delete EVERYTHING even your operating system! what you need to do is called a format, that will wipe everything that you have except the operating system which is required to run