Can't re-install XP, can't format C: drive

[redknight]

When I try to reinstall XP, it tells me that the version on the computer is
newer than the disk (naturally). There is no option to overwrite it. It
simply aborts.

When I try to reformat the C: drive, it won't let me, as Windows is on the
C: drive. That is of course why I want to clean it off, and start over.
Any ideas?

 

[John Inzer]

When I try to reinstall XP, it tells me that the version on the
computer is newer than the disk (naturally). There is no option to
overwrite it. It simply aborts.

When I try to reformat the C: drive, it won't let me, as Windows is
on the C: drive. That is of course why I want to clean it off, and
start over. Any ideas?

============================

The following series of articles may be useful...
I suspect Part 4 might be worth a look:

(896526) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 1): Introduction
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896526/en-us

(896527) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 2): Preparing Windows XP for reinstallation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896527/en-us

(896528) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 3): Creating partitions
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896528/en-us

(896529) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 4): Installing Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896529/en-us

(896530) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 5): Post-installing devices
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896530/en-us

(896531) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 6): Configuring the work environment
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896531/en-us

(896532) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 7): Running Windows Update
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896532/en-us

--

John Inzer
Digital Media MVP

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

 

[Mike Cawood, HND BIT]

============================

The following series of articles may be useful...
I suspect Part 4 might be worth a look:

(896526) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 1): Introduction
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896526/en-us

(896527) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 2): Preparing Windows XP for reinstallation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896527/en-us

(896528) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 3): Creating partitions
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896528/en-us

(896529) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 4): Installing Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896529/en-us

(896530) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 5): Post-installing devices
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896530/en-us

(896531) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 6): Configuring the work environment
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896531/en-us

(896532) Reinstalling Windows XP Home
(Part 7): Running Windows Update
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896532/en-us

--

John Inzer
Digital Media MVP

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

For a start you need to boot off the installation CD, not the hard drive.
You may need to go into the BIOS to set the computer to boot off the CD
drive.
Bear in mind that this will do a new installation from scratch & all
existing files will be wiped out.
Regards Mike.

 

[Grace]

FYI - I have done the same thing as RedKnight did and received the same
response screen. I DID boot from the CD drive. Wish it would have worked!