Operating System Clean Install – Last Resort (Part 2)
Continued from previous post………………
Re-boot and use the CD as boot disk, formatting the hard drive (you can chose the type of file system as you do so, Fat32 or NTFS). Make sure you check or select make disk bootable in the format menu. After the format (a few hours if you have a large hard drive) run the fdisk utility that allows you to partition your hard drive into several small ones or you can simply select the hole drive as the primary partition from which you will be booting from.
After which, you re-boot and install the OS through the installation CD (you might want to yank out the network cable for the network) for a clean install without SP2 is like suicide, leaving you with tons of malware even before you’ve had the chance to install the proper anti-virus software.
Install your OS then use the Driver CD that came with your motherboard to install all drivers for built-in devices that may be needed by the OS. Get hold of SP2 if you are using Microsoft XP so you get all the necessary updates to secure your PC. You could also install your anti-virus and run an update so you can plug-in to the internet without the risk of malware infection. Hook-up to the internet and update all your software (Windows may need a couple of hundred or so files to update so be patient). Install all the other software you are using and get them updated too so you get everything up and running.