Unable to disable/delete explorer.exe on startup

[techpeasant]

Hello, I received an older machine from a friend with spyware and all. I am running Windows 98. I want to wipeout everything and clean install Windows XP but I am not sure if the adware/malware/spyware stays on the machine after I format the hard disk. I also do not know how to format a drive but I have been reading very much about it. I ran a check for entries in safemode on startup but the baddies came back. Can you help?

[Blade81]

Hi


I want to wipeout everything and clean install Windows XP but I am not sure if the adware/malware/spyware stays on the machine after I format the hard disk.
It won't stay there after reformat.

I believe this (http://spyware-free.us/tutorials/reformat/) tutorial contains all you need to know about reformatting :)