How do I delete everything on my computer?

**gontoadrock** · February 12th, 2009, 09:31 PM

Hello, I need to know how to delete everything on my computer. Recently it has been very slow, and Itunes will not load up. I have tried clicking on Itunes but an hourglass comes up for a second or two, and then it does not appear. When I looked under the task manager it was running, but you could not see it. It was using all the memory it usually does to run it. I do not have an XP cd, and need to try to get near everything removed on it. Please help, and thank you in advance.

**Kphu** · February 12th, 2009, 09:35 PM

You could manually delete all the songs, video, or large files on your computer if you want. Just select them all and delete. If you do happen to get an XP cd though you can completely reformat your HD which will give you a fresh start and will erase EVERYTHING so if you decide to do that, make sure you backup and save any important information.

**gontoadrock** · February 12th, 2009, 09:39 PM

Deleting everything manually will not work, as their are files that will still remain on the hard-drive, that are hard to find. I don't know how to get obtain one of these XP cd's, as my computer is around 6-7 years old.

**stroyal** · February 12th, 2009, 09:47 PM

Are you just looking to format? What OS

If you still have FAT 32 partitions, a WIN 98 start up floppy can format and partition FAT 32

If you have NT file system, find out what hard drive you have and go to their sight and download their hard drive program and partition and format.
edit;
Are you trying to wipe the drive so the info can't be read ever again, or just for a reinstall?

**Kphu** · February 12th, 2009, 09:47 PM

what are the specs of your computer and what do you mainly use it for? memory intense programs, gaming, normal web browsing...

**gontoadrock** · February 12th, 2009, 09:55 PM

Well, i'm just trying to get rid of as much as I can I can't run some programs i could normally run in the past, (Itunes, ect). I use this comp. for gaming. This is a 2002 HP Windows XP computer. Oops, sorry! I am just trying to get rid of programs to make it faster they don't have to be "not able to ever be read again"

**stroyal** · February 12th, 2009, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Kphu

what are the specs of your computer and what do you mainly use it for? memory intense programs, gaming, normal web browsing...

Hay; I worked just off Arsenal St for 32 years.
and I would have answered your other question, but I didn't have an answer.

see my sig!

Sorry OP, back to your problem.

**Aaron_8015** · February 12th, 2009, 10:01 PM

just go to add/remove programes and uninstal all the ones you dont need/use. Depending on what you remove you should have less programes running in the background and regain a little hard drive space

**Kphu** · February 12th, 2009, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by stroyal

Hay; I worked just off Arsenal St for 32 years.
and I would have answered your other question, but I didn't have an answer.

see my sig!

Oh nice. Where did you work at? I live on the other side of Watertown, west side. And excuse accepted :] haha

**gontoadrock** · February 12th, 2009, 10:05 PM

I have uninstalled all the programs that I havent used, but how do i know which ones i need, and don't need?

**stroyal** · February 12th, 2009, 10:08 PM

I lived on Puritan Rd of RT20 near the Waltham line when I was very young.
I worked @ E.H. Hinds/APM on the corner or Arlington and Coolidge Hill Rd next to the park.

**stroyal** · February 12th, 2009, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by gontoadrock

I have uninstalled all the programs that I havent used, but how do i know which ones i need, and don't need?

You could uninstall everything that isn't part of Windows, or a Windows update, but as you said it won't uninstall everything, and you may still have a problem.

You can get an OEM XP home disk for $89, It could takes days to find the problem, and all that uninstalling could leave your computer dead, and you would need a disk any way.

Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows XP Home SP3 for System Builders - Operating Systems

**gontoadrock** · February 12th, 2009, 10:17 PM

ok, thank you!

**stroyal** · February 12th, 2009, 10:19 PM

I posted a link with an edit. Did you see it?

**MTAtech** · February 13th, 2009, 09:19 AM

I had a similar problem -- the PC over the years got slower and slower as more background apps got installed, more registry entries, etc. Instead of blowing out my primary disk, I decided to add a second disk and load a fresh install of XP and all the programs that I use. It gave me the ability to boot between the two installations without losing anything.

In addition, it gave me the ability to save configurations and settings by copying the c:/Documents and Settings/{user}/[Application Data][Desktop],[Favorites], etc. from the old installation into the new installation.

I just finished it and the results are dramatic using the same hardware -- basically the difference between a Pentium 4 and a Core 2.

**cksboy15** · February 14th, 2009, 12:31 AM

Have you ever used the defragmenter or disk cleanup wizard? that would save you the trouble of formatting your system then downloading everything on it again.

**MTAtech** · February 14th, 2009, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by cksboy15

Have you ever used the defragmenter or disk cleanup wizard? that would save you the trouble of formatting your system then downloading everything on it again.

Defrag doesn't do anything but defrag the disk. If the problem is that over the years you built up backgrounds apps and services that you don't need but hog memory, defragging isn't a solution.

Starting from stratch is often the best to do.

**stroyal** · February 14th, 2009, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by MTAtech

Defrag doesn't do anything but defrag the disk. If the problem is that over the years you built up backgrounds apps and services that you don't need but hog memory, defragging isn't a solution.

Starting from stratch is often the best to do.

Agreed. As well as disk clean up won't remove any of the problems, either.