how do i remove old software

hello all probably a silly question but how do i completly remove old software so i can start again?

i have a dell gx520...i tried to put windows xp pro on it and it still has other things from the last software my main problem is when i`m on the net the screen doesnt fit, it`s constantly at 200% then when i reduce the size to fit it`s far to small...

I had tried to use my toshiba laptop recovery disk to get xp pro of that, i have obtained a proper dell copy now, but the comp still has all the toshiba stuff on and i want it all to be right and as it should be... can anyone help?

thanks

complete novice

 

Have you tried to format your hard drive and then do a fresh install?

 

well thats what i think i need to do just completly remove everything of the hard drive then strat from fresh...

but i dont know how to do it????

thanks

 

Put the Dell recovery disc (or whatever disc you managed to obtain) in your system and boot to it. Then follow the instructions onscreen to reinstall your operating system.

 

open up 'my computer' right click on your C drive, click properties (i think) and i think it gives you the option to format your hard drive.
It's bheen a while since I used xp (now using vista), but I'm pretty sure this process is the same.

hope this is of some use to you.

cheers.

 

You can't format C while you're using C. That's akin to demolishing a building while you're standing inside it - you end up dead.

 

hiya i`ve done this but the comp still has a load of toshiba stuff on it from when i tried to use my recovery disk from my toshiba laptop...i have now got a dell xp pro disk and have gone thru the process i`m on the comp now... but the screen isnt right its too big and i`ve still got all the tosiba stuff on like fingerprint reader ect stuff my comp doent have... my main problem is the screen being to big...

i thought there would be a way of just deleteing the hard drive ????

 

Right, never had the need to do this, just thought that would work good job your here or I would be owing completenovice a new laptop!

cheers.

 

The screen is "too big" because you didn't install video drivers. I can't explain the "Toshiba stuff" for certain, but it's probably because you performed an upgrade install instead of a custom (clean) install.

It's probably a good idea to seek out a technician. An operating system installation is not something a novice should be doing by themselves.

 

In regard to JUST the deletion of your old software, here's what you can do to make sure that everything you attempt to delete is actually off your system.

After you do the normal Uninstall through Programs and Features, do an Advanced Search for any keyword associated with the software your are attempting to uninstall.

To get to Advanced Search, press the Windows Key + F (or go into the Start Menu, and from inside the Search Pane, press F3).
That brings up the Search page - click the Advanced Search button to the far top-right, to open the Advanced Search Set Up page.
On the Set-Up page, check the 'Include non-indexed, hidden, and system files' option.
Under Location, select Computer, or Everywhere, and in the Name box, fill in the name of the software, and click on the Search button.

After this first search is completed, to make sure there are not still remnants or fragments remaining on your system, do additional searches for any other key words you think might be associated with that application (like, for example, the name of the publisher, or a significant keyword).

The searches could take 20 seconds or 20 minutes, depending on how many files/folders there are to go through, but eventually everything related to the software should be deleted.