how to erase hard drive and reload win xp

[tulips88]

I have a dell solo 9550 laptop I got from my dad. He purch. in 2002. He used
for business for 5 years and its got tons of crap on it I dont need. Its a 20
g HD and only 2 g left. I want to wipe out the old crap and reload win xp,
but im not sure what I need to back up other than my pictures and doc files.
If a program was paid for and downloaded - then wont it be wiped out also?
If someone can point me to a website where I can get step by step
instructions for an erase and reload of my hard drive that would be great. Or
if you can reply with a short answer would work also.

 

[JS]

This assumes that you have all the media (CDs) that came with the PC or
laptop.
Note that some manufactures may not provide a Windows XP install CD but have
a hidden recovery partition, in which case you need to read the
documentation.

The Windows Key Code sticker should be on the bottom of the laptop
(you will need this to do the install).

Also make certain you have a 'Drivers' CD, if not go to the manufacturer's
web site and download all the drivers (Video, Sound, Network, Etc.). If your
PC or laptop came with a Windows XP CD then you can perform a clean install
per
the info provided at the last part of this post.

Before you do the 'Clean Install' download and install the following
utility:
Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
It does a good job of providing a wealth of information, including installed
software and hardware configuration which you will need to verify that
you have or downloaded all the drivers you need. Verify your CD or
Sticker Key code matches what Belarc Advisor reports for
your existing install.

Note: OEM Windows Installs (done by the PC manufacture) usually come
with a sticker on the PC or laptop and may not match the
factory installed key reported by Belarc Advisor,
this is normal as the factory uses their own internal key code,
you need to use the code on the sticker.

Now if you choose to do that clean install of Windows XP, here's how!!!
How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP:
Change the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.
Then see below:
From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

Again note: Make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard,
video card, sound card, Etc.

JS

 

[Big Al]

I have a dell solo 9550 laptop I got from my dad. He purch. in 2002. He used
for business for 5 years and its got tons of crap on it I dont need. Its a 20
g HD and only 2 g left. I want to wipe out the old crap and reload win xp,
but im not sure what I need to back up other than my pictures and doc files.
If a program was paid for and downloaded - then wont it be wiped out also?
If someone can point me to a website where I can get step by step
instructions for an erase and reload of my hard drive that would be great. Or
if you can reply with a short answer would work also.

JS hit most of the points.

Everything will be lost on that machine when you do a fresh reload. You
also asked about what to save? Visually scan down the menu and look at
the programs that are installed and think about what files you have
created. You can't save programs most of the time. But you can save
data created by them. Word docs you created and you saved. Photos.
You say you downloaded programs, and if you mean: paid for them on a web
site and downloaded an installer and then installed the program, then
you might find that installer still on the PC. But those are issues
you'll have to deal with the software provider. Normally if you bought
a product on line, they can be contacted and if they can validate your
purchase, something can be done as far as reissuing you an activation
for the product and a new download.
If you have CD's and "downloaded" them (loaded) then you are fine, just
find the CD's.
Good luck.

 

[nass]

I have a dell solo 9550 laptop I got from my dad. He purch. in 2002. He used
for business for 5 years and its got tons of crap on it I dont need. Its a 20
g HD and only 2 g left. I want to wipe out the old crap and reload win xp,
but im not sure what I need to back up other than my pictures and doc files.
If a program was paid for and downloaded - then wont it be wiped out also?
If someone can point me to a website where I can get step by step
instructions for an erase and reload of my hard drive that would be great. Or
if you can reply with a short answer would work also.

Make sure you have the Product Key and the right Installation Media CD, read
the info below and you will be up and running in an hour.
Install Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx

Setting up Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/default.mspx
HTH.
nass