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 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. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".
7. 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.
8. 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/
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| I recently bought a new laptop with XP installed, and have an older desktop with Windows 98. The desktop
machine has some serious problems with the OS so I'd like completely "burn down" or reformat the c: hard drive
and do a clean install. However, I'm not able to boot from the CD, which I assume is necessary in order to
reformat the C: drive. Once done, I can either re-install Windows 98 or install XP....but can't do either
unless I can boot from the CD. I'm not particularly familiar with Windows having migrated from a Mac
environment. On a Mac, I'd just put in the disk, hold down the C key, and boot up from the CD, then reformat
the C: drive.....dosen't seem possible in Windows. Please Advise. It can't be all that difficult....can it?
| Many thanks
