I have an old computer,if I wanted to wipe everything clean and start over using one of the programs to wipe everything out would it take out Windows XP also?It was bought with Windows XP on it I didn't make a set of recovery disc. Please read this. Lots more info needed.Just boot to an OS disk and choose the format option before installation. That will erase everything on your system drive.I received the following by PM.

I have a HP Pavilion a305w I think I got it in 02 or 03,it had a cd drive and I changed it and put a dvd drive in it.


It seems that the current OS came pre-installed and you now you want to clear your hard-drive without over-writing (deleting) your current OPERATING system?

Do you have an XP install or recovery disk for this machine? Does your hard-drive have a recovery partition? What condition leads you to want to format the hard-drive? Can you boot to the current system?

Most disk wipers will OVERWRITE everything on your hard disk, although some may be used to overwrite specific partitions, all should be used with care. Using an install disk to format can also overwrite the system partition prior to reinstalling the OS if you have an install disk.

Please respond via this thread so that other members, who may have intimate knowledge of your model pc, have the opportunity to add their advice from which all can benefit.

Quote from: manly6262 on December 09, 2010, 06:28:58 PM

if I wanted to wipe everything clean and start over using one of the programs to wipe everything out would it take out Windows XP also?

I received the following by PM.