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    Re-installing Vista and all drivers and utilities

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Rach83, Nov 25, 2008.

  1. Rach83

    Rach83 Notebook Guru

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    I am returning this Dell Studio 17 laptop due to many, many issues its having. Before sending it back I would like to re-install vista and basically everything else in order to wipe-out all of my personal info. During a tech call with Dell, they had me insert the Utilities and Drivers CD and wiped everything out in order to get it back to the way it was right out of the factory. This is what I would like to do again, but can't remember what to do once the cd is in. Help!
     
    Rach83, Nov 25, 2008
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  2. Rach83

    Rach83 Notebook Guru

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    I believe I have finally found some previous threads about this for Vista so may be able to figure it out. :rolleyes:
     
    Rach83, Nov 25, 2008
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  3. coolguy

    coolguy Notebook Prophet

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    You need not do that. Dell will wipe your HD anyway.
     
    coolguy, Nov 25, 2008
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  4. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Unless there's something specific in your purchase agreement that requires you to return the system with the OS properly installed and functioning, there is no reason why you should have to reinstall _Vista or anything else before returning the system to _Dell.

    On the other hand, I most certainly would not count on _Dell to properly wipe your hard drive for you (nor would I trust that none of their technicians wouldn't take a quick image of it before it's wiped so they could review it at their leisure); instead, I would just wipe the drive before you send it back, using something like Eraser (freeware) or Active@KillDisk (the freeware edition), or Drive Washer from Migo Software (US$30).
     
    Shyster1, Nov 25, 2008
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  5. AKAJohnDoe

    AKAJohnDoe Mime with Tourette's

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    Clean wipe the drive, FDISK it, make it FAT16, and install DOS 6.22 on it.
     
    AKAJohnDoe, Nov 25, 2008
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