Need to do complete reinstall of XP...need some advice

G

Guest

After running ad-aware 6.0 (and deleting 350 suspect files), I could not reconnect to internet due to corrupted winsock & winsock2 registry keys. I have tried all sorts of repairs (including WinsockFix.exe), but none have worked.

I believe that many registry files are corrupt, therefore I think my best option at this point is to wipe my hard-drive and completely re-install Windows XP--- but I have never had to do this before

Before reinstalling XP, I need some help/advice

Do I need to "Uninstall XP" first
Once I put in the XP OS CD, will it just walk me through this process
What are the pitfalls?

If anyone has a link that walks you through this process it would be GREATLY appreciated

Thanks in advance for any help any of you may be able to provide

GAI
 
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.

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.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 XP - Shell/User

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

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


| After running ad-aware 6.0 (and deleting 350 suspect files), I could not reconnect to internet due to
corrupted winsock & winsock2 registry keys. I have tried all sorts of repairs (including WinsockFix.exe), but
none have worked.
|
| I believe that many registry files are corrupt, therefore I think my best option at this point is to wipe my
hard-drive and completely re-install Windows XP--- but I have never had to do this before!
|
| Before reinstalling XP, I need some help/advice:
|
| Do I need to "Uninstall XP" first?
| Once I put in the XP OS CD, will it just walk me through this process?
| What are the pitfalls?
|
| If anyone has a link that walks you through this process it would be GREATLY appreciated.
|
| Thanks in advance for any help any of you may be able to provide.
|
| GAIL
 

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