Can't re-install XP!! HELP!

G

Guest

Ok, I've had Windows XP (home ed.) for a while now, and I know you are
supposed to reformatt hard-drive once in a while... well I go to restart
computer with XP disc in drive, but it still goes to my logg on screen with
no promt asking me to install XP.
So I explore disc once Im in my user account to check it out - and it says I
ve got to reboot with disc in drive! I dont know how many times Ive rebooted
my computer within the last 2 days trying to get a promt to reinstall XP!
Supposedly my current version is new than one Im trying to put on -- but it
was this original disc that I put on this computer!
Does anyone know what the heck I should do??!?!
 
J

John Bell

Lets try this.

When your computer boots up. Push F2 or whatever button it is to enter
setup. Because whats going on most likely is your PC is set to boot from the
HDD before the CD. So when you get in the BIOS find the boot order and set
the CD to boot before the HDD. Then it will give you the prompt to boot from
CD. Also keep in mind that when you reformat your PC. You will lose all
data. So be sure to back up your documents and other things before you do
the format.

John
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

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.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

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, make sure XP's Firewall is enabled:
==> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxpsp2/Default.mspx

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.aspx?scid=kb;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 - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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

:

| Ok, I've had Windows XP (home ed.) for a while now, and I know you are
| supposed to reformatt hard-drive once in a while... well I go to restart
| computer with XP disc in drive, but it still goes to my logg on screen with
| no promt asking me to install XP.
| So I explore disc once Im in my user account to check it out - and it says I
| ve got to reboot with disc in drive! I dont know how many times Ive rebooted
| my computer within the last 2 days trying to get a promt to reinstall XP!
| Supposedly my current version is new than one Im trying to put on -- but it
| was this original disc that I put on this computer!
| Does anyone know what the heck I should do??!?!
 

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