How do I do a complete system wipeout on my Vista laptop without any disc?

Question

I want to sell my laptop online but I don't have any discs or instruction manuals for it anymore. I just have the laptop, charger, and box it came in. The only complete system restore options I see involve a disc (which I don't have) or using a partition if it has one. But I don't have the manual to know where to look for that.

I did see that you could go into the command prompt and format the hard drive. Would that be almost the same thing anyway? I have whatever files I need backed up so I am good there. I just want this damn computer to go back to its original state. Why can't it just be easier?!!

tumbleweed_biff · Accepted Answer

Look up the laptop model and see if there is a factory restore option and try to execute that.

If you went to the command prompt and typed "FORMAT" then the hard drive would be wiped and Windows would be gone with no way to reinstall without a CD.

The Incredible Chris · Answer

If you don't have anything really, really personal or important on the laptop anymore...  you could perform what I call a "sloppy cleaning".   

Step One...  Delete everything in Pictures, Videos, Music and Documents...

Step Two...  Go to Add/Remove and Uninstall everything that you personally installed since you had the computer...  but leave all the Windows Updates intact. 

Step Three...  DELETE... or disable Page File (info is saved there) and Open your browser and DELETE all Cookies and Cache files and Bookmarks/Favorites

Step Four...  Open Disk Cleanup (start&#92;programs&#92;system tools) and delete all but recent System Restore Points

After you do all of that... IHIGHLY RECOMMEND that you go to Control Panel and User Accounts and CREATE another Administrator account... give it a generic name...  so your name won't be associated.. for example..  If it's an HP Laptop... call the account HP User... if it's a Dell... call it Dell User...  you get the idea...  after you create that account...  you can log into it... and delete your other Old User Account...  then all personal settings and anything else I forgot to mention will be pretty much gone...  and the laptop should be close to stock as possible without doing a reinstall...

OH... someone suggest you format it... NOPE... you can't format Windows if you're in that environment...  besides.. you don't have the Wndows install DVD...  nor do you have the drivers...  so you would be left with a blank computer...  just follow my instructions and it should work...  

OH...I forgot one thing...  before you delete your profile...  go to Indexing Options and select option to clear or delete Index...  that has personal data too...

Bassman1 · Answer

You have two choices, 1: order the Vista operating system recovery disc set from the laptop manufacturer or 2: install a file shredding software, shred the files then delete all your personal files and info then empty the recycle bin. If you format the hard drive not only will all your files be gone but there will be no operating system on the laptop. Post the brand, model number as well as OS when asking for help.

Trending News

How do I do a complete system wipeout on my Vista laptop without any disc?

3 Answers