I need to know how to completely wipe out my computer due to a virus that made it so I can't login anymore. I want to wipe it out and reboot it. I have the software to reboot it but I don't know of to erase everything off it. Please help me!:eek:

What operating system do you have?

I have a Dell Dimension, it has Microsoft XP Pro

Stop and think about what you want to do.

You have a virus that is preventing your log on. Tell me how it is preventing your log on, please?

Have you tried to start up in "Safe Mode"? If you did, what did you see? What virus protection program?

To get into Windows "Safe Mode," hold the "F8" key down as you power on the PC. Safe mode starts Windows but does not autostart any other programs.

From Safe Mode you can select to use your virus protection disc to scan and repair and viruses or worms. Then use the normal shut down process to turn the PC off.

After it has completely powered off, wait a couple of seconds and boot the PC normally. If you can log onto your system again, then use you security tools to re scan your PC with the latest level of virus definitions.

Only as a last cause do you want to scrub your PC. If you have to do that, use a DOD erasure tool. "DOD" stands Department of Defense level.

I have windows xp

If you end up wanting to erase the whole computer you can use a program called ccleaner. There is an option in it to wipe the drive.


Piriform - Download CCleaner, Defraggler, Recuva, Speccy - Millions of users worldwide!


Its free.