To reformat a computer properly we must wipe out 100% of the old data.  The hard-drive must be placed in a "like-new" state.  This requires destroying, permanently all data contained on your computer.  This data includes all program applications, all document files, all favorites, all short-cuts, all email records, database records, video, audio, scanner, camera, and printer drivers and settings.  All drivers will be destroyed! 

100% of your personal files will be destroyed!
Only data backed-up prior to reformat will be transfered to the reformated drive.

* Steps to Reformat

1. Unbox computer
2. Make startup floppy-disk or CD (insures being able to reload operating system after reformat)
3. Insure video, audio, scanner, printer drivers are backed up
4. Computer System analysis report (Pre-reformat document)
5. Save desired data files for later transfer to reformatted hard-drive
6. Format Hard-drive (Destroys all data on drive)
7. Re-install operating system (i.e Windows 95,98, NT2000, XP)
8. Scan data to be saved for viruses
9. Re-install additional programs desired
10. Test for driver conflicts
11. Generate new system analysis report
12. Prepare/ Print report
13. Box computer for shipping

*  The reformat process requires between 4-8 hours to complete all these steps.  Computer Help America takes no responsibility for data that either has been or will be backed up.

Restore Reference Sources

Is your PC running slow? Are there error messages popping up when you try to run certain programs that reinstallation of the program does not fix?  About.com

Remember that when you format your hard drive, everything will be gone. Your documents, game demos that you spent hours downloading, MP3s, and whatever else you have stored in the bowels of your hard disk. So make a backup of everything that you want to save. Here is my list of things that...  winxpcentral

First, consider the files that you need to keep. All you really need to make copies of are the files that are unique to you or irreplaceable. For example, you will want to have copies of any Word documents you have written, school projects, e-mail (if you keep it stored on your local computer, rather than on the server), MP3s, pictures, etc. Georgiatech

Reformatting is the process by which you completely erase all data from your hard drive, eliminating your operating system, data files (word documents, excel spreadsheets, mp3's etc) and any and all software.  It is an irreversible process.  Once started, there is no turning back.  Make sure you absolutely need to reformat before you dive right on in.  University of Montana - Missoula  

First, keep in mind that reformatting and reinstalling Windows brings your computer back to the first day that you used it. You will lose everything that you installed and saved to your hard drive since that first day. This includes any online updates. It is extremely important that you have backed up all the data that you want to bring back to your computer. Word documents, photographs, music, address books, and e-mail are just a few examples of the things you might want to save. Don’t assume your backups are good. Double-check backups by reading the files or restoring a few of them back to your computer and viewing them. Don’t forget to run a complete virus scan on your saved data to prevent bringing back viruses that you may have had.  Cnet-download

Make sure that your computer is set to Boot to CD.  This is a different procedure depending on your computer.  When your computer first boots look for an option to enter the BIOS settings.  Under the BIOS settings find the "Boot Order" and make sure the CD-ROM is set to boot first.  If you have any problems with this please contact the ITS Help Desk .

This FAQ (frequently asked questions page) is for people who own a Windows XP computer and want to reinstall and reformat their hard drives.  Plus if you have Windows XP and want to go back to an older version of Windows, this is also for you... cyberwalker.com

I had the bright idea to reformat mine and my wife’s computer this weekend.  I confidently told her that it would only take me 4-5 hours once I got started - “I’ve done this plenty of times dear.”  I even started around 6pm on a Friday Night (Dec. 30) thinking I’d be easily done by midnight… centreblog

In fact I have just spent an age trying all of the above ideas to speed up a 200Mhz PC with Windows 98 loaded.  In the end the only thing that did the trick was reformatting it.  silverhairs.com

"My Windows startup seems to be taking a long time, and once it finally stops churning, everything seems to run slower than it used to. Can you suggest any maintenance tips to make Windows XP start and run faster?"

I have this theory that sludge builds up inside a computer over time, much like an automobile engine. After a while, it doesn't start right up like when it was new, it stalls unexpectedly, and performance is sluggish on the (information) highway. Is there something like engine cleaner we can pour into our personal computer to restore that "like new" performance? Actually, yes! Ask Bob Rankin