H.a.l.p.

[BlackRain]

So, I've recently come into possession of an Alienware computer(I didn't buy it, it was a gift), but the only problem is that the previous owner lent it out to someone, and that someone got it virus ****, now it won't even boot properly.

So, does anyone know how to wipe a hard drive without taking it to someone? I'd rather not spend what little money I have.

[CrazyHobo]

not good with this stuff, ya know.

But as far as I can tell, an entire memory wipe and then reinstalling what ever operating system you want, should help out >_>

[BlackRain]

I knew that already. But it's so virus-**** that it doesn't even boot, as I said, so I can't just wipe it back to factory settings. I need to know how to wipe the computer without booting it.

Power on, yes. Two beeps, no display, nothing. Never reaches the booting screen, so i can't, say, hit F11, and pull up System Repair.

[Superchaos2585]

Take a magnet to the hard drive..... just kidding. That would probably kill it. =P

[BlackRain]

Probably? More like would. I'm not that hardware illiterate.

[Superchaos2585]

You know that I know that you're the most computer literate of everyone here, so don't reply like that man =P

I'm probably second in line behind you. I know how to break a computer, and it's parts, I was just joking around.

When you look up and save child **** and bestiality, you have to destroy a lottttttt of hard drives......

Eww, no, again, kidding.

[BlackRain]

xD I'm only savvy with computer software.

[Parone92]

hmm, you want a memory wipe correct?

If it's not even booting, it might be something broken in your computer, open it & take a peek inside it and tell me if everything seems normal. I know some things about computer hardware

[BlackRain]

Everything looks normal, yes, though I'm not the best judge of that.

Like I said, it apparently got uber-**** by viruses before i got my hands on it.

I'm thinking about saying **** it and getting a new harddrive.

[Parone92]

if it's a virus, try a blank CD and download Geek Squad software then. That might work by bring up extra options.

If anything, hit f11 or any of the F keys to see what happens. If that fails, get on google and try that <<.

And if you decide to get a new harddrive, then actually take a magnet to your old one to destroy the memory.

[BlackRain]

Mate, if I could wipe the drive using F11, I wouldn't be asking for help. I already downloaded DBAN, and tried that. It doesn't seem to be working.

And it's not my computer. There's nothing personal about me on it. The person who owned it before he left it to my friend in it's current virus-**** state didn't even know I existed. Thus, magnet-wiping is pointless.

[Parone92]

DBAN didn't work? interesting...

I'd love to take the computer apart and figure it out for you. But my advice now is to suck it up. You need to get the computer looked at because it might be more than your harddrive.

I also found what may be a useful link:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[BlackRain]

I neither know what OS it used before, and even if I did, I don't have any repair discs just lying about, so... That options ****.