ADVISE NEEDED!! wiping hard drive with affecting the os

[paulcarrm9mx]

hi i would like to know if it is possible to wipe a hard drive of data with out affecting the os. if so how do i do it. my computer is getting slower and slower but the os is bang up todate on updates so i would like to leave the os in place and just wipe the data out. so basically a blank OS would be left. cheers for the advise beforhand. paul

[SadBloke]

It's most likely that the OS updates are what is slowing your computer (you don't say what kind of computer or what the OS is, that would help!).

When you say wipe the data, are you wanting to keep applications you have installed? If that is the case I don't think there is really that much you can do. If you're using Windows then the usual routine of defragging the disk, removing temporary files and applications you don't use may give you something.

[Isitme]

If by data you mean the stuff you have put on yourself, highlight the folder, right click and select Delete. If you mean programs you have installed, go to the Add/Remove or Programs and features list, depending on the OS, highlight the program and select Uninstall or Remove.

When you have done that, run something like Ccleaner to remove the bits left behind. After you have cleaned out the Registry and Applications, run the Defragment program to tidy everything up.

There is no magic bullet that will remove everything but the OS with one click.

[Scubbie]

The following is a suggest method that I have adopted. It does have a few holes, some things may have been forgotten, but the overall process will work. Ultimately no one on this site, including me, can be responsible for anything that you may loose.

If you have a Virus or some other nasty installed, then the following tips may be difficult to follow. It is likely, but not guaranteed that everything may already be lost. You haven't stated the nature of your problem or which O/S you have.

My experience is with Window, other may be able to help with another O/S, but much of the advice is the same across all platforms.

My suggestion:

The best thing to do would be to backup all your data to an external Hard Drive.

Some things will be difficult if you are not familiar with the way your O/S stores information, but I have found the WEB to be a useful method to help me in locating files I wasn't sure about.

Next go through your Start > Programs Menu. Write down every program you have installed. Include everything, especially tools, hardware related programs and version numbers whee relevant.

Make a note of any Power Saving settings. This can be especially important for a Windows Vista or Windows 7 Laptop. The default ones may not be suitable for your computer (as I have found recently ).

Email programs need particular attention. Backup your address book, account details and find how to copy the emails to a new folder safely. Also backup any 'Rules' you may have developed over time. Outlook Express in particular has a special method for doing this that you need to read about on the Web. Don't use a utility as you will need to pay to restore the information.

Find and locate every program that you have ever installed. Ensure that you have a copy on a CD or DVD and that it is clearly labelled. Make sure you have a copy of any program keys, especially any you have downloaded & paid for.

Now it is time to take action to clean up your computer.

If you have M$ Windows:

First download and install a couple of programs that can help to improve how your PC works:

* CCleaner
* Advanced SystemCare (ASC)

These programs are often available for free on Computer Magazine CDs & DVDs.

Run them both to clean your computer, registry and Hard Drive. ASC will also defragment you main hard drive. This may take a few hours, but let it complete.

If these resolve you issues, then great.

If not, now is the time to double & triple check that EVERYTHING has been backed up.

You now need to locate your original M$ Windows CD or the Recovery Disc which you created when you first received you computer. If you haven't got the Recovery Disc, create it NOW. Ensure that you label it clearly.

Verify that the Disc is in working order and that it is available.

Disconnect your computer from the Internet.

Now you will need to reboot you PC/Laptop and boot from the Windows or Recovery Disc.

Go through the options and look to install a clean version of Windows. You will want to wipe everything off the C drive, but leave any other partitions unchanged.

Once you have completed this one task, install your Anti-Virus software first. You will need to reconnect your computer to the Internet towards the end of this process to update the AV software & Virus definitions.

Updating the AV software may require multiple reboots of your computer & checking it is updated after each completion. Persist and keep going until it reports that no more updates were required.

Now you can update M$ Windows.

Again do all the updates & be prepared for multiple updates. Once again keep going until your computer reports that no more updates are available and no more rebooting is required.

Now you can start to install any other software that you may have.

Recover any data files once each program has been reinstalled or wait until everything has been installed before recovering your data files.

Finally you can now start looking to see that everything has been recovered and that you can use all your programs once more.

For reference I had to go through this process twice recently on my Laptop as it became infected with some nasty. It took me 12 hours to complete on the second occasion, but thankfully I lost nothing.

I would therefore suggest that you plan to sit beside you Sky TV & the computer whilst this is going on.

Remember: Backup everything BEFORE you start.