How to Rebuild a Computer Hard Drive
Sometimes your hard drive just needs a fresh start. It's been acting sluggish, and it taking forever to boot up. You have a lot of programs on your PC that you don't use anymore. Perhaps you have viruses on your system that your anti-virus cannot quarantine or delete. Consider rebuilding your hard drive. One rule you want to adhere to is making sure you backup all of your data before you perform this task. Rebuilding a hard drive is straightfoward.
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Instructions
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Collect all of your software application CDs, including your operating system. Write down all of their product key numbers.
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Use a CD disk or flash drive to back up your important files. This is essential because once you format your drive, you won't be able to recover any files.
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Perform a fresh installation. Insert your operating system CD in the drive. Follow the instructions on the screen. This process will take about 30 minutes.
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Reinstall drivers. These include your printer, network, scanner, and other devices. Depending on the version of the operating system, it may already have the drivers. If this is the case, you don't have to worry about installing them.
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Reinstall your applications. Be sure to check the manufacturers' websites for the latest updates or patches.
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Install your security software. Turn on your firewall. Install anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
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Tips & Warnings
Save time by downloading software that will help you retrieve the product keys for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, rather than writing them down yourself. These software programs must have been installed on your computer.
