removing paint from concrete floor

[maglite]

gday,
Perhaps someone can help.
Our verandah floor has been painted numerous times over the years before i bought it.
I want to paint it and hopefully freshen it up but what is the easiest way to remove most, if not all of the flaking, decaying paint from previous coats?
There are some cracks that will need to be filled also, can someone recomend a product that will seal the cracks and also allow itself to be painted over.

Can i hit it with a belt sander or am i better off to hire some sort of a concrete grinder / contractor.
Thanks in advance
Steve

[Ashore]

Try a good high pressure water blaster, should get rid of most if not all;)

[johnc]

If that fails good old paint stripper should get the rest.

[Honorary Bloke]

Try a good high pressure water blaster, should get rid of most if not all;)

This is the go. Get (rent or purchase) a good high pressure washer and give it the devil. :)