Format Windows XP without CD and without returning...

Hello,
http://www.tomsguide.fr/forum/264264-10-tuto-formater-disque-gparted
everything is explained there.

Here’s how to restore to the first day of use:

Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

Then select Restore my computer to an earlier time (which means, for example, the first day you used your computer). Click Next, then Next again, and wait.

Remise à l'état d'usine ? Comment fait-on ? Quelle différence avec Gparted ?

Formatting does not prevent data recovery ......................

To prevent data recovery (or at least make it difficult), you need to overwrite the entire disk with random data or simply zeros multiple times; the more passes you do, the less likely it is that data can be recovered.

There are software programs that can do this easily, for example, look at ultimatebootcd, which allows you to 1- format the disk and 2- "clean" it with tools from the "Disk Wiping" section (around ten different ones, all free).

HOMMEBOURGEOIS is right formatting is not the ultimate solution. However, when we see viruses, hackers... under Windows XP are we really safe without formatting.

For restoring to factory settings in general it's F8 or F5 at startup then choose to repair the computer and follow the prompts to restore to factory settings.

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With Gparted you will simply delete all the data that is on your hard drive, to restore it to factory settings, CD mandatory I think, but I will verify.