Rebuilding Your Non-DCI Windows XP Computer

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These instructions detail how to erase your hard drive and start over for Windows-based personal computers other than the Dell computers bought at Cavalier Computers through the DCI program. Those people with computers with the silver Desktop Computing Initiative labels on them should seek the Rebuilding DCI computers link at the right of this text under RELATED LINKS.

Required before you begin:

  • All of the discs that originally came with your computer at the time of purchase
  • The telephone number for tech support for your computer's manufacturer or for the company you purchased your computer from.
  • Access to a working computer to download necessary files which you will burn to CD or copy to other removable media (e.g. USB FLASH drive, external hard drive)
  • A printed copy of these directions
  • Two to four hours of your time
Warning: All files currently on your hard drive will definitely be irrevocably destroyed as part of this process. You need to back up any and all files of any value to the U.Va Home Directory Service or to removable media as directed at the beginning of these instructions.

The Ultimate Computer Cleanup: Wiping Clean and Starting Over

  1. Back up every file on your hard drive that you care about. See RELATED LINKS on this page for advice on backing up your files.
  2. Gather together all the resources you will need to rebuild your system:
    • System Restore Discs, if your system has them. If not, you will need the MS Windows System Disc, a disc with any device drivers needed for your computer and all the application installation discs that came with your computer. If your computer has a printer, you'll need the printer software CD.
    • If your computer came with MS Office, you'll need your MS Office CD/DVD case (with Product Key label on the back/inside)
    • A CD of your own making containing installers you can download from Software Central for Windows Service Pack 2, Symantec Antivirus and newdefs (the Symantec local virus definitions). Also consider adding the installer for SpySweeper.
    • The telephone number for your tech support for your computer. (The manufacturer or the store where it was purchased -- not the ITC Help Desk)
  3. Disconnect all cables and devices except for your AC power supply. It is important to be plugged into AC power. It is especially important to disconnect Ethernet and all USB-connected printers.
  4. Call tech support for your computer's manufacturer or for the company that sold you the computer. Ask them to walk you through the process of wiping your hard drive and installing MS Windows, all the device drivers and applications that came with the computer. ITC's Help Desk cannot help you with this.
  5. Through the Internet, hackers can remotely access Windows accounts that lack passwords. If you want secure Windows passwords for yourself and others who use your computer, go to Start:Control Panel:User Accounts. You can set a password for yourself and create accounts for others with their own passwords. Choose a password that you cannot possibly forget and no one else can possibly guess.
  6. If you have a printer for this computer, install the software that came with the printer before you physically connect the printer. This is important. If you connected the printer first, call the ITC Help Desk at 4-3731 to be coached through the process of untangling the technical problem that arises.
  7. Click Start:Control Panel:System. Under the General tab, it will tell you that you have Microsoft Windows XP / Professional / Version 2002. If the next line doesn't say Service Pack 2, install it from the CD you made back in step 2 of these instructions.
  8. If your computer already has antivirus software on it, confirm that you are not connected to the network and then uninstall your antivirus software. Personal computers cannot tolerate having two different antivirus programs installed and even though Norton Antivirus and Symantec Antivirus are both written by the same company, installing one over the other on the same computer creates serious problems. Make sure there is no antivirus software on your computer before attempting the next step of these instructions.
  9. On that same disc that you made earlier, run the filename beginning with SAV. That's Symantec Antivirus. When the installation is complete, run newdefs.exe (the most current virus definitions) from that same disc. Also consider installing SpySweeper.
  10. Connect to the Internet via a wired Ethernet connection.
  11. As soon as the network connection is functional, run Windows Update (a.k.a Microsoft Update). Find it in Internet Explorer in its Tools menu. Answer Yes to all prompts until you get to the screen with two buttons, one labeled Express (Recommended). Download and install all updates offered by the Express option. Avoid the Custom button.
  12. After restarting, repeat the previous step until Windows Update reports that there are no more remaining updates for your system.
  13. Reinstall any software you've added to your computer since you purchased it. Avoid free software like Limewire, Kazaa, iMesh, and their ilk. They are packed with spyware. There is no such problem with music purchasing software like iTunes or the new Napster.
  14. Restore your data files to your computer.

For the future: You'll be using a computer for many years. Eventually, you will lose the contents of your hard drive. The only dependable escape from losing your files with it is to back up your files to media that won't perish with your hard drive. See our recommendations for backing up your data.

© 2008 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.

The information contained on the University of Virginia’s Department of Information Technology and Communication (ITC) website is provided as a public service with the understanding that ITC makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of the information, including warrantees of title, non-infringement of copyright or patent rights of others. These pages are expected to represent the University of Virginia community and the State of Virginia in a professional manner in accordance with the University of Virginia’s Computing Policies.