reinstall windows

[bimbim]

Do I need to format the hard drive before i reinstall windows? The version on the machine has Trojan horses etc. due to Mcafee not installing properly

[vehelpfulguy]

Format is one of the options you get when you re-install Windows. Start the Windows install, then you get the chance to format.

I would suggest you DO format, because if not all the files already there (including the viruses) will stay there.

Note that a format will delete ALL the files on the hard disk so may sure you have backed up everything you want to keep.

[rojash]

And don't forget that you will need to reinstall all your drivers, including the motherboard drivers, so make sure that they are all available before you start.