I backed up some data and some downloaded apps before reformatting my HD and
installing ME from scratch. I also backed up my favourites folder. the
favourites and some downloaded apps were reinstalled. At some stage
something nasty has happened. Going to add/remove progs in control panel I
noticed that a whole host of rubbish (in part the reason for a clean start,
still seemed to be on. Some of the names could be removed, others
obstinately stayed.

How did this lot get back on? Is my registry corrupted again and if so how?
I was looking forward to find only references to things I was happy to
install again, not all the old garbage.

So just how 'clean' is the HD after a reformat? Could anything be left on
so as to corrupt the OS and if so is there any guaranteed way of starting
over as if everything was factory fresh? I've learned that fdisk /mbr
doesn't do anything for ME. Is this true? Is there a utility somewhere -
cheap or free, that will wipe the HD completely?

If this sounds like the ravings of someone in whom paranoia has set in,
you're absolutely right! But according to everything I've read this
shouldn't have happened.

What was that noise???????????????

Tia,

RoS

<g> - at least you've kept your sense of humour!

Certainly, there should be NO residuals after reformatting your drive -
assuming the reformat actually happened.

One problem that we see a lot in these groups is that people attempt to
format the Windows partition while still in Windows - and this just can't be
done (it's like getting a gun to shoot at itself).
When formatting the OS partition is must ALWAYS be done from outside the
OS - usually from a boot disk.

there's a possibility that you may have restored an old copy of the registry
files - user.dat, system.dat, classes.dat - and this could reintroduce a lot
of stuff. unfortunately it's also very difficult to go back if you don;t
notice quickly.

IF (and only if) the reinstall is less than a week old, try using System
Restore to go back to the initial state - you'll need to reinstall all your
programs again, but if the Add/Remove programs menu isn't clean then, you
have a different problem altogether., and would probably be better off to
FDISK/reformat again

HTH

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)


Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"RoS" <kermit;bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:ednFi95%23DHA.4012@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

Find out what brand name your hard disk is. Go to the manufacturer's web
site and download the reformater/partitioner and use that from a floppy disk
to reformat your hard drive.

Alias

"RoS" <kermit;bigpond.net.au> escribió