Need 2 Clean My Hard Drive....but How?????

I have an older HP Pavillon zv5200 and I need to perform a total system restore ( wipe It clean)....But, When i bought the lap top it never came with a CD to perform a restore. How do I perform a system restore with hard drive reformatting on the zv52000? I can't seem to find the option anywhere. The restore CD only reinstalls the factory software but does not reformat my hard drive. Any suggestions

 

ain't the restore CD does the reformatting ?

 

Just use the system restore CD unless you want to purchase a new copy of XP or Vista.

 

get yourself a copy of xp from a friend or ....another way. make sure its not altered. install, then use your oem genuine key.

 

So i take it yuo dont have a hidden partition that can format/restore your system?

 

Do you have a copy of XP? If yes just boot up from CD and reformat then reinstall a clean Windows XP

 

There's no hidden partition to format. I talked with HP tech support and they told me there was no hidden partition and that a restore CD was never sold with this lap top. They advised to $ buy$ a restore CD for $35.00 and that would totaly restore the lap top to the original state it was bought. Just a way to make another buck I guess..

 

I don't have a system restore CD. Thats my thing, the lap top was never sold with a system restore. The only thing that came with it was a XP OS CD that only reinstalls the software but not to wipe it clean..thanks

 

No it does not do the reformatting. It just reinstalls the winXP OS thats it..Thanks

 

Yes I do have a copy of win XP, But I need to perform a total system restore to wipe everything clean.To much junk collected over the years is slowing down the computer...thanks..

 

zona, please excuse me, but I dont think you understand. Once you boot the XP CD, it will allow you perform format, which mean erase everything, then it will take you the process of XP installation. Once you have done this, it will be clean.

JC

 

thats what it sounds like to me. if he has an xp cd, there is NO problem here.

you dont run the cd from inside windows, you boot from it.

you'll want to get the drivers you need as well.

 

Thanks NET...I don't mind you schooling me..lol, But I did run the XP CD and it does not give the option to wipe your computer clean( full system restore). The CD I have just has reinstalls all the software, which I did and I still have all the other junk still in the computer.

 

It sounded like you dont have the XP CD, because when booting the XP Cd, it will ask do you want to reformat for not. It more sounds like you have some sort of restore CD.

JC

 

Thats exactly what I have, a restore CD. What can I do? other then order a full system restore CD from HP support.any ideas?

 

There is no such thing as "Full System Restore CD" from my knowledge. Hm, what version of XP do you have? XP Home or XP Pro or XP Media Center.

JC

 

I have XP Home(came with computer)....But I have an XP pro(from a friend) as well, Think I should use that one? or well that cause problems in the running the system?

 

Due to legal issue, I cannot recommend XP Pro, unless you have bought YOUR OWN serial number.

JC