How do I completely start my computer from scratch?

Hey, my family and I just got a new computer, but plan on keeping the old one in our bedroom...





I want to completely remove all programs that weren't part of the computer to start with so it will run fast...





I started deleting things left and right and removed/unistalled programs that we knew we could...





Since I really don't know much about computers I just wanted to know if I am doing this right, and if I am doing this right is their a place where I can view ALL things on my computer so I know that what I deleted is really gone...





Like I think I deleted Limewire completely but I don't know for sure if I did...





Also is their a way to do this in one shot like a complete systme purge or something?

How do I completely start my computer from scratch?
Complete system purge would mean that you reinstall the system. There is an option of reformatting the hard drive during the installation process. If you don't have the installation software for the operating system then go ahead and continue uninstall all the stuffs that you don't need and then use Registry Mechanics from http://www.pctools.com/ to clean up your registry. Also run antispyware to see if you have spyware on your computer. Spyware will effect your computer performance.
Reply:your doing it the normal way. but if you want to do it the best way, after you delete a program, if you have a pc, go to my computer, and go to the Find button, after that check the box that says ' search all files and documents,' and then search for the item you just deleted,





if it's still there, you want to go to start, and look for it in 'all programs' and then when you find it, click 'uninstall' but if you don't find it in the search, that means it's gone.








for a Apple Comp. go to finder and do the same procedure...find it, and you know what to do after that. or you can just remove every little thing by taking a good size magnet, and letting it stick to the computer...not the moniter, but the hard drive...just on the side of the computer, and let it set there for about fifteen minutes.








the magnet will delete everything and it could delete word, internet, but most of the time it won't. if you want to get it done the best way for your computer, call best buy and have the geek squad come and help you out...just tell them your prob. and if they can't help, call Comp Usa, and if they can't help try Circuit City. there you go








and your welcome
Reply:Your computer probably came with about 3-6 discs called System Recovery Discs. You put in CD number one while your computer is on, restart your computer, and when you turn it back on it will begin an entire recovery process. After it is through scanning disc one it will tell you when it is time to insert disc two and three and so on and so on. Then afterwards you'll need to insert your Application Recovery Discs to reinstall all the standard programs that come on your computer such as Word, Outlook, etc. etc. After your done with the entire process and you turn on your computer it will be just like the first day you bought it and you'll go through the setup process where it asks you to name your computer and you fill in all your contact information and so forth. This will completely erase everything on your hard drive. Just make sure to save all your important documents to a disc before you do this!
Reply:Download RegScrubXP (if you have Windows XP) and utilize that. It will clean out registry safely to eliminate all of your unused programs. If you really want to speed up the boot time, go to the run feature and type in msconfig.exe. Go to the start tab and uncheck everything you don't use at the start up (STAY AWAY FROM SYSTEM32 and anything you don't know what it is!!!) Otherwise, just defrag after you think you are done with getting rid of all of your unnecessary programs and you are set! Nice work!
Reply:OK-you DELETE documents and files, you UNINSTALL programs-this is an important distinction. If you DELETE a program, you can also delete what are called shared files (used by MORE than one program), and that is what we in the business call a BAD thing. Go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, and UNINSTALL them from there.





Or, if you have a system restore disk that came with the computer, simply slip it into the CD drive and follow directions. I will advise you, though, that by doing that you will also need to download EVERY update that was ever released by Microsoft or any of the other programs that you load; and, if you updated hardware, you will have to download new drivers as well.
Reply:Try a System Recovery. Should work nice. After you're finished try deleting all the unnecessary programs(In the control panel). Another good idea would be going to "Run" and checking you C Drive for any reminisces of the programs. Delete individual folder and files if necessary. Another good idea would be running a "Search" for the files. Be very careful when deleting things from the C drive. Very last go to System Tools in All Programs (it may be in Accessories and defragment your hard drive. (I'm assuming your running Windows)
Reply:You should re-format your computer instead.





http://helpdesk.its.uiowa.edu/windows/in...
Reply:Reinstall windows. (Your OS If it something else.)
Reply:if you have youre OS cds just fromat the hard drive and reinstall it. make sure u burn sp2 to a cd cause u dont wanna download that again
Reply:Nothing you delete will be completely gone. You can format your computer using the discs that came with it, but that will bring it back to the original settings with only the original programs on it. It will probably be much faster, but ANY data that you have stored on there will be gone.





The way you are doing it, the computer is leaving bits and pieces of every program on your computer. They are stored in the computer's registery. You can clean up the registery by downloading a (safe) program from www.majorgeeks.com. There you can find many utilities to help delete information that is unnecessary. Ex: temporary internet files / temp files / unused registery interies etc.


Good Luck
Reply:If your old system is a Dell or HP or from a large manufacturer, it should come with setup disc that will help you do exactly what you are trying to accomplish. If you still have those disc, backup all your important information that you want to keep on cd's or dvd's and simply insert the Windows installation disc in and restart the system. When it boots, you will get a message that says hit any key to boot to cd-rom, or something similar. Follow the directions and be sure to have your windows key ready. All other hardware drivers and software should be on another separate disc. I hope this helps, sorry I can't provide all the detailed information because it would be very very long.





good luck
Reply:If you have a system restore disc or an operating system disc it will completely put it back to square one. System restore will put it to factory settings, an xp disc for example will be a clean install of xp wheras everything will be erased and the system will be put back on.





To view all things on your computer, click on my computer all the folders are on your computer and they're all different categories. All prgorams are under control panel - add/remove programs.
Reply:re-format, re-install ur OS...





you will never get everything off that you have installed, there will be trails of everything u installed. so if thats ok then what u did is fine... got to Admin tool and Un-install all ur programs that u dont wont. defrag ur drive and ur done...





if ur not happy with that, the reformat and re-install
Reply:hey there i just recently dne that with my computer and the best way to know that you have removed th programmes is to :


go to control panel ,then go to where it sais add or removeprogrammes ,click on that then a list will appear all the programmes that are in ure computer wil be there and the ones you dont want just click remove on them hpe this helps !