total fresh install

[Ekwa]

My system got so slow,and in games i got the weirdest stutters/super low fps out of nowhere so i decided to do a total fresh install of everything.

But i wanted to sweep eevrything out of my system,every posisble registry entry/every single driver/and even bios (if posisble) so it would be like installing as if i just put the pc togetehr. Now, i always formatted the pc through the windows vista dvd (click the disk-->options-->format) but i doubt everything is de-installed with that right? So if that's not the case,how can i make sure everything is removed from the system and i can really,in the literal sense, do a total clean install of everything?

cheers

 

[Fourstaff]

Try Solaris Utility DVD, I personally never used it before but you might find something inside. Its owner is Solaris17, pm him.

 

[sneekypeet]

Solaris' disc will have a low level format tool in it.

you can also go to the manufacturer of the drives site and get their specific tool.

 

[Meow9000]

Dban, Drivewipe or Killdisk will do what your asking for, but there's really no need unless you want to destroy sensitive data. And never ever delete or remove any Bios or you will find yourself with out a working computer.

 

[DonInKansas]

Reinstalling the OS formats the drive. No reason for much more unless you have photos of who shot JFK on your system.

 

[Frick]

Pop in the disk and format during installation. As Don said, you don't need anything else if you're keeping the disk.

 

[Ekwa]

So what you guys are saying is that every possible registry entry/mobo driver and every posisble other driver is automatically deleted upon formatting the disk via the windows vista dvd?

 

[trickson]

So what you guys are saying is that every possible registry entry/mobo driver and every posisble other driver is automatically deleted upon formatting the disk via the windows vista dvd?

YES .
Once you start a clean install that is just what it does it wipes all the crap clean , meaning every thing on the HDD is gone .

 

[mlee49]

I use GParted(Parted Magic), a lite Linux OS that will let you format, partition, and lite apps/system analysis.


And I couldn't help it:

 

[trickson]

I use GParted(Parted Magic), a lite Linux OS that will let you format, partition, and lite apps/system analysis.

Why ? I mean the fact that window7 and old OS''s do the job just fine ? What need is there in all the Linux And partition stuff ? I never got why any one would really need to partition a HDD off into massive sectors . I just pop in the OS CD and Roll how come you have to make re-installing an OS like trying to build a rocket ship to go to the moon ? It is not all that hard .

 

[mlee49]

Why ? I mean the fact that window7 and old OS''s do the job just fine ? What need is there in all the Linux And partition stuff ? I never got why any one would really need to partition a HDD off into massive sectors . I just pop in the OS CD and Roll how come you have to make re-installing an OS like trying to build a rocket ship to go to the moon ? It is not all that hard .

It's not hard, well maybe for those that may not understand they have other options.

It's just the way I roll...

 

[trickson]

It's not hard, well maybe for those that may not understand they have other options.

It's just the way I roll...

LOL yeah .

 

[cadaveca]

So what you guys are saying is that every possible registry entry/mobo driver and every posisble other driver is automatically deleted upon formatting the disk via the windows vista dvd?

NO!!!

Of ocurse, this depends on what you mean by deleted.

I can do a "full format" using those tools, and still restore 95% of all files, using free software. More, with paid software.


You must either destroy the drive, or do a full low-level format, and preferably 2, using different data patterns.


Others have already said this though, but just in case it wasn't perfectly clear, here you go.

 

[Frick]

NO!!!

Of ocurse, this depends on what you mean by deleted.

I can do a "full format" using those tools, and still restore 95% of all files, using free software. More, with paid software.


You must either destroy the drive, or do a full low-level format, and preferably 2, using different data patterns.


Others have already said this though, but just in case it wasn't perfectly clear, here you go.

Now you're just making things confusing. This is true of course, but not something you need unless you're selling the disk or trashing.

 

[starams5]

If the drive has been in heavy use for a while there's nothing wrong with a little maintenance. Run a low level format on the drive including boot sectors.

If all you want is a fresh install of Windows, just format the partition and re-install. Whatever was on the drive before will be gone, reg entries, corrupt files, drivers, etc. 3rd party partitioning software (preferably Paragon or Acronis) does a better job than Windows imo.

On another note for those interested, Paragon has made their Alignment Tool free for download as part of a promotion, x86 and x64. Just fill in the data at the link below and they'll send you an email with registration and download links.

Paragon Alignment Tool v2.0 Special Edition (good until the end of June)
http://www.paragon-software.com/landing-pages/WhitePapers/paragon_alignment_tool.html