How do I clear my computer of everything,and make it like new again?

I want to clear my entier computer. How do I do it??How do I clear my computer of everything,and make it like new again?
This is a skill I would highly recommend learning. People will pay well over $100 to get something fixed at a computer shop that sometimes can be cured by reinstalling your operating system fresh. *** CAUTION make sure you backup any and all files you need to save to a CD or other media before restoring your system. ***





The process will be slightly different depending on what brand of computer you are running. Usually there is a recovery cd set that you will boot from and start the process of erasing (formatting) your hard drive (c:) and reinstalling your operating system (most likely windows xp). If you have a compaq or an hp there is a chance that the recovery program is on the hard drive and you just need to press F10 during the boot process (during the black and white text you see before the windows loading screen) to start the restore process.





For more complete instructions on each brand you can do a google search for the recovery process, or contact the support department for your computer. They should be able to get you started on the process, or be able to order your recovery cd's if you no longer have them.





Don't forget to install antivirus and all windows updates when you get your computer reinstalled. I also recommend running Firefox instead of Internet Explorer (You need to run IE for windows updates.)How do I clear my computer of everything,and make it like new again?
same except don't get fox crap use internet explorer it's the best

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These instructions, will clean everything off of your hard drive, so you must back up anything that you want to save. I have done this many times, and I got these instructions, from computer tech. When starting your computer, tap the F-10 key. click on next-yes-and follow the instructions, that come up on your screen. When you are finished, your computer, will look just like it did, when you first bought it.Do these steps, in order, when finished.


1. set up windows firewall


2. windows update (click express)


3. install your anti-virus program (update)


4. install anti-spyware (update)


This is called a ';system recovery';


Good Luck..
fdisk





you can right-click on your disk drive and click on format.





or there are lots of erasing programs on versiontracker.com or download.com.
First, save all of the files that you want to keep on a seperate disk (usb drive, floppy, zip, etc) then you format your hard drive.
Well ya formatting is an option but if ur not good with computers dont do it unless u have someone to help you.





If you dont do it rite or even if u do it rite it can slow up ur comp a lot
Reformat the hard drive by using the cds that came with it or that you made when it was first activated.





Be advised you will lose all information that is in you computer including anything in ';My documents';
I would recommend having someone reformat your hard drive for you since you are not familiar with it so you don't mess up your computer it is not an easy thing to do- I personally would not do it myself with the amount of knowledge I have on it.