How can I reformat my hard drive?
Answers:
It's easy!
Just follow these simple steps:
1. Go to "My Computer"
2. Right click on the hard drive partition you wish to format
3. Press the "format" button.
Just a caution though, while sometimes it's worth it to start fresh, you might want to save all important text documents and image files before you start. These files are 100% virus proof and you may wish to keep some for reference in the future.
Also, if you're deleting your boot drive you should put in that OS disc. You'll have to boot from that disc afterwards. Don't worry, it'll ask you to press a key to boot from another device. Just follow the instructions they give you from there.
Note: It might help to have another computer if you have one. This way if you run into a wall you can ask for help. =)
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Wow okay, so apparently there's really long instructions for this one. XD
I would just like to inform you that if you back up everything you'll be backing up the virus as well. Also, it'd be a bad idea to back it up with any program if you're just going to format your hard drive. Just get whatever files you want to save onto an external HD if you have one. If not burn them onto a rewritable CD. Failing that just burn them on something.
Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec
NOTICE: Using Dell PC Restore permanently deletes all data on the hard drive and removes any applications or
drivers installed after you received your computer. If possible, back up the data before using PC Restore. Use PC Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.
NOTE: Dell PC Restore by Symantec is not available in all countries or on all computers.
Use Dell PC Restore by Symantec only as the last method to restore your operating system.
PC Restore restores your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer.
Any programs or files added since you received your computer—including data files—are permanently
deleted from the hard drive. Data files include documents, spreadsheets, e-mail messages, digital photos,
music files, and so on. If possible, back up all data before using PC Restore.
To use PC Restore:
1 Turn on the computer.
During the boot process, a blue bar with www.dell.com appears at the top of the screen.
2 Immediately upon seeing the blue bar, press <Ctrl><F11>.
IF YOU DO NOT PRESS <CTRL><F11> IN TIME, LET THE COMPUTER FINISH STARTING, AND THEN RESTART THE COMPUTER AGAIN.
This can be tricky to catch at the right time
NOTICE: If you do not want to proceed with PC Restore, click Reboot in the following step.
3 On the next screen that appears, click Restore.
4 On the next screen, click Confirm.
The restore process takes approximately 6–10 minutes to complete.
5 When prompted, click Finish to reboot the computer.
NOTE: Do not manually shut down the computer. Click Finish and let the computer completely reboot.
6 When prompted, click Yes.
The computer restarts. Because the computer is restored to its original operating state, the screens that appear, such as the End User License Agreement, are the same ones that appeared the first time the computer was turned on.
7 Click Next.
The System Restore screen appears and the computer restarts.
8 After the computer restarts, click OK.
Go to Microsoft Updates as you now will be WAY out of date.
I think you should use an Anti virus pro to destroy that virus without formating HD. I am using Norton Antivirus, it is very good, I think. But if you still want to format your HD, you let CD of Windows into CDrom and click Install Windows. It will format your HD with install OS on to your PC.
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