How do I reformat my computer? I have no recovery disk created, and it has a virus.?

Question by Roderick G: How do I reformat my computer? I have no recovery disk created, and it has a virus.?
My HP Media Centre PC which runs on Windows XP media centre. I did not create a recovery disk 🙁 and a virus has infected my computer. I dont care about the files which are on the computer so I dont mind erasing it. So is there any way I can reformat my computer withouth buying a new copy of Windows XP and troubleshooting it from there?

Best answer:

Answer by G Note
Well if you had a bootdisk you could wipe everything out, but you’d basically have a blank hard drive which would be just as useless as what you have now.

One way or another you have to install an operating system back on the machine and will require a disc.

Edit:

Do you have a restore CD that came with the PC? If so that will allow you to wipe out the drive and reinstall Windows.

Just insert it into your CD rom drive and reboot the machine. You will get prompts from there was what to do. If your machine is infected with a virus don’t bother choosing to repair Windows, just wipe it all and start fresh.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!