Vista: How to reformat for clean install?

Biscuity · 28 Feb 2007 at 03:23

After 3 weeks running Vista, I've bugged up my system by installing SuperAntiSpyware. After installing it, I noticed constant CPU spikes every second from the program, I put up with that for half a day, then uninstalled it. Since then, 3 days ago, I'm still getting CPU spikes, this time from the Hardware Interrupts & I can't fix it, despite getting help going through HijackThis logs etc. There are no apparent sources of spyware & I can't find a rootkit.

As I don't want to watch CPU spikes for the next 3 years, I've decided on a reinstallation. I have a Vista32 Business upgrade CD & have already performed a clean installation using this disk on a new system. To make sure it's clean, I want to reformat the hard drive first, what's the best way to do this please?

hp7909 · 28 Feb 2007 at 04:45

Biscuity said:
{snip}what's the best way to do this please?

That would be to invest in this excellent software (can also partition/clone/move/resize/etc even with data on it) :eek:

Cheapest/free & also good enough (except obviously you'll loose any data on it) way is to let Windows do it during installation

Biscuity · 28 Feb 2007 at 07:50

Thanks for your reply.

I'll check out the product, I've also been looking at their backup software but have been holding off due to problems running it with Vista. So you don't suggest I try to format with an old XP cd?

hp7909 · 28 Feb 2007 at 07:56

Biscuity said:
{snip}I'll check out the product, I've also been looking at their backup software but have been holding off due to problems running it with Vista. So you don't suggest I try to format with an old XP cd?

You could, but might not remove the Vista Bootloader. Think its best to do-it during Vista installation (if you can't get the program I suggested)

Biscuity · 28 Feb 2007 at 08:11

Ah thanks, I didn't think of that! :cool:

Biscuity · 28 Feb 2007 at 16:32

I now have the Acronis software.

I will want to delete the C partition. I wondered how can it delete the partition that it's running from?

bledd · 28 Feb 2007 at 16:35

make bootable cd in the acronis options, then it places the acronis product(s) on the cd and its bootable so they run from that

awesome tools

Biscuity · 28 Feb 2007 at 17:08

Thanks, what do I copy to the cd exactly please?

I can see an option to make a bootable rescue media builder, is that what I use?

I've been up since 3am trying to sort this out.

Edit: Figured it out - yes, it the rescue media builder.