clean install

[Larry Overton]

I want to completely clean off the present Windows program and all its
settings and all of the programs and reinstall the same XP program. I am
able to start my present program from the CD drive. The problem seems to be
that when I replaced the CD drive it comes up in a different set of screens.
It used to come up in a DOS screen and a set of instructions that asked if I
wanted to format a partition or create a new one. I used to select format
the present partition and then run F:\setup and the installation would enter
the Windows XP and I could then load all of the programs and hardware as
needed

Now the screen comes up in the dreaded blue and there seems to be no way to
format the present partition or delete the present one and create a new one.

I have not tried reinstalling from the windows XP desk top and I don't know
if that would clean off the partition (clean install)it is presently in or
would just try to reload a second operating system

the Weak Geek

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Since I don't know what procedure you followed to accomplish this task, I
will post the steps below. If these are the steps you followed, please post
back, if they are not the steps you followed, please try these instructions:
Boot with the XP CD in the drive. When you see the message on the boot
screen to "Press any key in order to boot from the CD," do so.

After loading drivers and files, you should be taken to a screen with
the following:

To Setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To Repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console press R.
To Quit setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

In your case, press ENTER.

Agree to the License agreement by pressing F8.

You will then be taken to a screen with two options.

To repair the selected Windows XP installation press R.
To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing,
press ESC.

This will bring you to a partition map where you
can delete, create and format partitions.
Select the drive you wish to format, delete the partition, then create a new
partition, format as desired and continue with XP installation.

 

[Larry Overton]

I believe I quit at the screen after the license agrement where it says
repair (R) or escape(Esc) I believe I tried R and failed to realize the esc
key wouldn't just take me out to the page where I could format the
partition.

One question I have is that if you remove the partition will windows come up
and ask you to format that portion of the C drive and set up a new
partition? In other words again, How do you create a new partition once you
have removed all partitions from the C drive?

I have printed out your instructions - Thank you

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

You have to read the screens carefully. You will be asked what you want to
do and presented with options. First, delete the partition, then create a
new partition, then format the partition, it can all be done from the same
area and you will see the options but you must read it carefully.