Wipe my hard drive/keep my OS

[kcrasch]

I want to wipe all the data off my PC but keep my Windows 7? Is there an easier way than cloning the OS??? Or creating and ISO CD ???

I'm thinking NO, but I figured I'd ask anyway. Thanks all. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Joe C]

reinstalling with a "clean" install is the best and more secure way to remove any personal data. What type of pc do you want to do this with? Brand name/ model?

 

[Nukem]

If it's a bought machine, most have a restore partition built in now that you can bring it back to factory specs.

As Joe asked: machine specs please...

 

[kcrasch]

I bought a used emachine, $40.00 just to use as a learning tool. Something I could use to do "Labs" on without the fear or concern of breaking/messing anything up.

Specs: eMachine ET1831
Intel Celeron CPU 450 2.20ghz
3 GB RAM
500 GB HDD
64 bit OS

All I want to do is wipe the thing clean/clean, without getting rid of the OS. I was hoping there was just something simple that I was missing. When I google answers all I get is things like "cloning OS" "Hacking/Crakcing OS with Keygen" blah blah etc etc. I don't want to do anything illegal, and this is nowhere near as important as all that. If not then I will wipe it and install some Linux or other OS.

Thanks for your time and help.

 

[carnageX]

I bought a used emachine, $40.00 just to use as a learning tool. Something I could use to do "Labs" on without the fear or concern of breaking/messing anything up.

Specs: eMachine ET1831
Intel Celeron CPU 450 2.20ghz
3 GB RAM
500 GB HDD
64 bit OS

All I want to do is wipe the thing clean/clean, without getting rid of the OS. I was hoping there was just something simple that I was missing. When I google answers all I get is things like "cloning OS" "Hacking/Crakcing OS with Keygen" blah blah etc etc. I don't want to do anything illegal, and this is nowhere near as important as all that. If not then I will wipe it and install some Linux or other OS.

Thanks for your time and help.

Windows 7 doesn't have this functionality. Windows 8 does with the "Refresh" option. If you want to start fresh on Win7... you'll need to wipe everything and reinstall Win7 / all programs.

IMO, what I would do, is wipe it, install fresh, install all your programs, and then make a backup image of it with CloneZilla. That way if you want to reinstall Win7 again, you can go back to your image and not have to install all your programs again.

 

[kcrasch]

Ok. First question carnageX . . . what if I don't think I have Win7 install disk? When I got the eMachine Win7 was on it. When I got my personal laptop Win7 was on it as well, but . . . I did find a DVD-R that I titled Win 7 64-Bit Repair Disk. I have no idea when I made this and am unsure what it actually is. Maybe it's a re-install DVD I made years ago, no idea. Thanks for the comments. I will definitely clone an image when I install whatever I am going to install on this thing.

Do you know of a safe/trusted sight that I could download Clonezilla? I heard Arconis is good as well.

 

[carnageX]

Windows 7 Disc ISO: Legal Download from DigitalRiver: Windows 7 SP1, 13 languages

Get the version that corresponds with the OEM key that you have. Yes, those are legal to download.

Get CloneZilla LiveCD from their website: Clonezilla - About

And yes, Acronis is also an option. Both will work - CloneZilla is just my personal preference, but whatever works better for you.

 

[kcrasch]

Thanks for the information. Always a pleasure learning great tools like these. Oh, I also found that for (most) eMachines if you hold down alt + F10 it will do a factory data reset . . . which is good enough for me right now. Thanks again. I copied all the links you (carnageX) gave for future note.

Lastly, and off topic, can you recommend a Wireless Ethernet Adapter. Looking for something with good reception and up and down speeds. I just bought an EDIMAX EW-7811Un USB 2.0 Wireless nano Adapter (cheap) for this eMachine, but I'm looking for something a little more reliable/faster for my personal PC. Thanks again.

 

[Nukem]

I put this one in my wife's machine last year, and have had no bandwidth issues.

NETGEAR A6200-100NAS Dual Band Wi-Fi Adapter IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n USB 2.0 Up to 300/867Mbps Wireless Data Rates - Newegg.com

 

[thenightbefore]

The best way would be to clear the registry and start again with a Windows re-install.