I am just now moving up to XP on a new machine. XP newbee. I have always
reinstalled my Win98SE by clean installing every so often to clean up the
works. I would use a bootdisk to Fdisk, partition, and Format and the drive
and then install 98 fresh. I'm looking ahead to the time I will want to do
this with XP.
What is the equivalent action to take in XP if you want to reinstall clean?
I understand the product activation issue and the potential problems if the
configuration has changed much. Let's ignore that for now if we can. There
is a warning in the manual that if the HD configuration has changed
(partitions, format) you may be unable to uninstall XP. So in that case how
would you wipe the HD clean? Could you use the installation CD or a Win98
Bootdisk?

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"BP" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message:
news:(E-Mail Removed)...

|I am just now moving up to XP on a new machine. XP newbee. I have always
| reinstalled my Win98SE by clean installing every so often to clean up the
| works. I would use a bootdisk to Fdisk, partition, and Format and the drive
| and then install 98 fresh. I'm looking ahead to the time I will want to do
| this with XP.
| What is the equivalent action to take in XP if you want to reinstall clean?
| I understand the product activation issue and the potential problems if the
| configuration has changed much. Let's ignore that for now if we can. There
| is a warning in the manual that if the HD configuration has changed
| (partitions, format) you may be unable to uninstall XP. So in that case how
| would you wipe the HD clean? Could you use the installation CD or a Win98
| Bootdisk?
|
|

Hello
The XP cd has all the tools on it to do a complete partition, format and
install of XP.
The Upgrade cd also has all the tools the only difference being that at one
point during the install you will be asked to put in a qualifying copy of
Windows for proof of owning a previous version.
It is always recommended that you disconnect all peripherals except the
Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse before beginning.
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm

As for deleting XP you can do this at any time by booting from the CD and
selecting the partition it is on and delete.

Be sure to visit MS Windows Update site and download all critical updates
this is for your security and safety.
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

--
Hope this helps
Haus

"Haus" <youknow@iwillslapyou> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
: Hello
: The XP cd has all the tools on it to do a complete partition, format and
: install of XP.
: The Upgrade cd also has all the tools the only difference being that at
one
: point during the install you will be asked to put in a qualifying copy of
: Windows for proof of owning a previous version.
: It is always recommended that you disconnect all peripherals except the
: Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse before beginning.
: http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm
:
: As for deleting XP you can do this at any time by booting from the CD and
: selecting the partition it is on and delete.
:
: Be sure to visit MS Windows Update site and download all critical updates
: this is for your security and safety.
: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
:
: --
: Hope this helps
: Haus
:
Thank you gentlemen. That sound pretty straight forward and simple.
I'm building this box from parts, so it's no problem to install early. I
always did that with 98 also. Let the OS detect the periphs and load the
drivers one at a time.