reformat and erase/wipe hard drive

Win7 32-bit will run acceptably with 1gb of RAM, but you'll need a new licence to install it on the old computer.

I used Acronis TrueImage to wipe a hard drive on a laptop being sent back after a contract assignment. I paid $20 for it and it other useful things besides wiping, including image disks. If you have valuable data on the old hard drive, Acronis TrueImage would be of help in getting it over to your new PC.

Thanks rdunill.

I use Acronis True Image for regular backups, so I looked at their products for this issue.  Their current disc wipe is $60 US.  Whatever info I needed to transfer, was done a few years ago, so that's not an issue at the moment.

I still would like a guide for reformatting the hard drive, and also for reinstalling XP, if anyone can refer me to it.  Or could I just call tech support? I guess it's too long of a process for a wizard....but I do love the wizards!

I guess if I'm going to keep using the computer after the reinstall, I won't need to wipe it yet.  But I have no idea where to start reformatting.

Actually, you know, in the very early days of this computer, it was right when malware was going crazy, and I seem to recall being walked through a reinstall  (via phone from tech support).  Or maybe it was the computer before that??  Is there a limit how many reformats and reinstalls you can do to a hard drive?

Thanks again   :emotion-1:

Thanks Osprey4.

I didn't realize I would have to pay for another license.  But I'm sure XP can continue to run my printer and fax for me.  I probably do still have the installation CD.  It's good to know that I don't have to uninstall everything!

Thanks rdunill. I use Acronis True Image for regular backups, so I looked at their products for this issue.  Their current disc wipe is $60 US.  Whatever info I needed to transfer, was done a few years ago, so that's not an issue at the moment.

The 'Home' version of TrueImage has a disk wiper among the utilities. I paid $20 for my copy (on sale from Newegg) and used it a couple of days ago to wipe a laptop drive of sensitive corporate data.

Windows 7 Home Premium is frequently offered for $80 by Newegg, but that may be more than you want to pay for upgrading a secondary PC.

Brynn4,

My link to the OS installation guide below includes XP. It's not hard, I've done it lots of times.

I second the motion on Acronis. For $20, you'll have a great utility you can use on any PC.

Rats, I lost my message before it posted :emotion-3:  2nd try:

Oh yes, I see Acronic Disc Cleanser in my ATIHome.  Awesome :emotion-2:  Thanks rdunnill!  Although it looks like I won't need it after all.

Oh sorry Osprey4.  While I've gained a lot of knowledge and experience with my home computers, over the last several years, it didn't occur to me that reformatting the hard drive would come under the heading of "installation".  I guess it depends on your perspective.  In some ways it seems like uninstalling, which is how I was thinking.  But in other ways, it's like reinstalling, which I only realized while I was posting the op.

Ok then, I'll have a look at your links and info, and make sure I understand it, and it has everything I need.  And then I'll mark the topic solved.

Thank you both very much!

ps - It's been years since I've looked at any Dell online communities.  They used to be very newbie UNfriendly, and I avoided them.  So I'm glad to see this much improvement!   Ok, cross fingers, and I'll try posting again  :emotion-11:

Ok, I do have a question right away.  Right at the top of the Windows XP Legacy pdf, it says: 

"In either case for Installation the CD should be updated with SATA Drivers and Service Pack 3 (unless it is XP Media Centre Edition)."

I haven't actually found my cd yet, so I'm not sure if it is a XP Media Edition.  But if it's not, how do I update the cd with SATA drivers and sp3?  Does that mean to actually edit the cd?  I would assume that the reinstallation cd would not be writable?

You can add the service packs after the install; I've done it myself numerous times. "Slipstreaming" the drivers onto a new disc saves install-and-update time, but adds complexity.

If I have to go online to dl sp3 and new drivers, that means I'll have to have a firewall and av installed....which also adds complexity, lol.

Ok, I looked up slipstream and in a quick search found nLite.  Is that an acceptable way to add both the service pack and new drivers?  Or if not, can you recommend a better solution?  (I have found my reinstall cd, btw.)  I guess I'd have to have nLite on a cd or flash drive.

Hhmm....I'm looking at the manual, but I'm not clear whether this slipstreaming process involves going online to dl the drivers and sp, or exactly how that part works.  First it says to install .NET Framework.  Hhmmm....

Ok, so let's say I've already reformatted the hd, but there's no Windows yet.  Maybe the .NET Framework should be on the cd/usb drive along with nLite??

And I realize you can't provide support for a non-Dell product.  I just need to understand the general steps -- I just don't want to have to go online with the newly reinstalled XP, if I can avoid it.  Because if I have to still be concerned with all that security stuff and updates and upgrades (which isn't necessarily free, esp av), just to keep the fax software and some extra storage space, I may as well just buy a fax machine, (and new usb drive for storage) and go ahead with the wiping process.  Do you understand what I mean?

Thanks again :emotion-1:

Note newer guides I am working on mention how to virtualise Windows XP and use Windows XP in a virtual environment to connect to legacy hardware. Virtualisation of an obsolete OS would be preferred method to running a legacy rig just to connect to a fax machine. This can be done with utilities like VMWare player.

http://www.vmware.com/products/player/

In fact I tested VMWare player with a scientific instrument and the host computers serial port using Windows 98! the other day. I could successfully control the instrument within the virtual machine allowing full compatibility of legacy software moreover the virtual machine had the outside protection of a modern OS - Windows 8.1 32 Bit.

WMWare Player is free for home use but you need a full Windows XP license to use with it; these are pretty cheap to get a hold of these days. I am still working on the guide but you can see here for more of an idea:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/virtualisation-of-obsolete-windows-operating-systems-to-run-legacy-programs-and-specialist-hardware/vmware-player-windows-98se/

Step 6 of the legacy XP guide mentions slipstream of the Service Packs using nLite. I did not find a way to slipstream Microsoft .net Framework successfully so they are just listed as standalone updates but I recommend installing them.

Service Packs and Drivers can all be downloaded to a USB stick on your Windows 7 computer and then copied to the hard disc of the XP machine thus preventing the need to risk internet connection of an XP system. The slipstream of the disc can also be done on the Windows 7 system. Note you are essentially copying your disc to file, adding the service packs and then burning a new disc while your original disc remains the same.

Note Step 7a of the guide instructs you through use of DBAN, this is a free utility which will securely wipe your hard drive. 7b media direct won't apply to your system.

Thanks natakuc4.

Sigh!  This is all starting to sound too complicated (for me).  If I'm going to use the potentially newly installed XP only for running the printer/scanner/copier (including fax) and storage space, I wonder if I need sp3 or SATA drivers at all.  Because the fax software is just as old as XP -- they were shipped together.  And the psc software is equally as old, and orignally ran on XP before any service packs.  And the cd drive was factory installed, so it must be capable of using the old drivers.  And as far as I understand, the main benefit of sp3 would be better security (and probably some minor bug fixes/patches).  And since I won't be going online, perhaps that is moot?

Do you all think I could skip the Sata drivers and sp3?  If not, maybe I'll go back to my original plan and wipe the hard drive, a just buy a fax machine.  ....although that plan does leave me without a printer....  SIGH!!!  Maybe a new psc would be the better way to go (after wiping out XP machine).

Ok, well I guess I have enough info from  you all now, that I can proceed, either way I decide to go.

Thank you all very much for your patience and support.  I appreciate it very much :emotion-1:

This is all starting to sound too complicated (for me).

The service packs and updates are easy to install if you download them from Windows Update. It's as easy as point-and-click and wait.

FYI Windows 7 Home Premium (for refurbished PCs) is available on eBay for $52.