Will wiping out hard rive and reinstalling OS get rid of viruses?

mountians · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 04:51 PM

I have many viruses on my computer and it's running very slow. I want to just erase my whole hardrive and reinstall Windows XP with the reinstallation disk. Will this kill the viruses on my computer, or will they still be there after the reinstallation?
Thanks!

pc_guy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 10:01 PM

how do you know that you have got viruses

mountians · #3 (**permalink**) 11-11-2008, 09:09 PM

I know bc the computer keeps telling me. Anyways I want to completely wipe out the memory. So will erasing the hard drive kill any and all viruses?

pc_guy · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-2008, 10:03 PM

it would remove the viruses if you are reinstalling the os from scratch although if you are then it is a good idea to get all your hardware drivers backed up on a data cd or data stick

mountians · #5 (**permalink**) 11-11-2008, 11:15 PM

you mean I should save my files I want on to a stick or something, right?

pc_guy · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 06:21 PM

yes you hit the nail on the head