new install of Win XP and other probs

[jimgriff]

Greetings one and all.
I have looked on the web, but am having no luck.
1 Can someone post an idiots guide (literally step by step) to wiping a hard drive and clean install of Win XP home edition please. I have reinstalled twice but there seems to be a whole load of stuff from a previous life on the hard drive which I want to clean.

2. I keep getting an error message which says "GENERIC HOST PROCESS FOR WIN 32 SERVICES HAS BEEN LOST AND NEEDS TO CLOSE DOWN...."
The PC then freezes.. Any hints?

Thanks in advance
Jimgriff

[Conan the Librarian]

Bet you find this site useful...

http://www.theeldergeek.com/index.htm


regards,

Conan

[None of the above]

Something here may be of use:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

[nwaflygirl]

I have done this twice to my computer. Be certain that you want to remove EVERYTHING from your hard drive.

Record and ensure you have all license codes, passwords,, etc. for ALL your programs!!!!!!

Purchase "wipe drive". This CD ROM erases everything on your computer, leaving it a totally blank slate.

http://www.datatexcorp.com/html/wipedrive.htm

If you google, I'm pretty sure there are some free versions to download out there.

This does take some time to do, and be sure to run it more than once.

When this is completed:

You need to re-install your operating system first and foremost. Be sure you have your license # from the CD saved somewhere. Again, this computer is now a totally blank canvas, and there is no way to recover all your license codes.

Re-install your PC's programs with the recovery disks.

Re-install your internet software.

Download and install all windows updates.

Re-install non-microsoft programs.
ie. virus protection, games, etc.

This should about do it. It is quite an undertaking, but it is like a whole new computer again when you finish!

Good luck!