Zack said:
I have 3 versions of the XP Home Edition installed on my computer and
want to delete 2 of them as I am unable to run my registry and drive
cleaners. This has happened due to various re-installs when my system
has crashed. I have an NTFS partitioned hard drive.
Do I need to reformat the hard drive and re-install from the CD or am
i doing something incorrectly?
It sounds like you have done something wrong in installing the last
two times.
What do you mean by "system crashed"? What happened that prompted
you to reinstall and how did you go about it? Do you have a true
Windows XP Installation CD and why didn't you do a clean installation
if you do have a true Windows XP CD?
In any case - registry "cleaners" are bogus.. you shouldn't need them
- if you do - you need to rethink your other habits. They can be
dangerous. Matter of fact - they could be the reasons for your
needing to reinstall (maybe not - but they are not for the
uninformed.)
Drive cleaners... Beyond disk cleanup and perhaps a better version
of the built in defragmenter - I cannot think of any other necessary
"drive cleaners". What applications are you speaking of?
In my opinion - if you have "reinstalled" twice in the past already -
I think, it might be time for the third (charmed) reinstall. This
time - do it right and DELETE the partition, create a new partition
and install on it - really have a clean system.
I have not used the registry and drive cleaners as yet, it would have
been the first time.
I do not remember the exact issues causing me to reinstall but I have
an OEM CD and reinstall from this.
How do I delete the partition - do I run the CD again and will it
prompt me or do I delete before running the CD ?
Make sure you backup your files, documents, pictures, emails, contacts,
etc..
Make sure you backup your files, documents, pictures, emails, contacts,
etc..
Make sure you backup your files, documents, pictures, emails, contacts,
etc..
Did I repeat that? Oops.
Make sure you have all the installation media/files/keys/serials stored away
from the computer..
Make sure you have all the installation media/files/keys/serials stored away
from the computer..
Make sure you have all the installation media/files/keys/serials stored away
from the computer..
That too? Oops!
*grin*
If your CD is a true OEM installation (Windows XP) CD.. Then when you boot
from it (Press any key to boot from CD after chaging the BIOS tro boot form
the CDROM first, etc..) and follow through the prompts like you were
installing - you should reach a point in the install where it asks you to
"Choose the partition on which to Install Windows XP". Choose to DELETE the
partition(s) in question, then CREATE new partition(s) and continue the
install. This will be a true clean install.
Once up and running - install Service Pack 2 and then visit
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ to check for further critical updates.
Do not get Hardware Driver updates from here. Next visit your hardware
manufacturer web pages for updated drivers in their download sections. In
particular get your motherboard chipset drivers, video card drivers, network
card drivers (and/or modem) and sound card drivers. Most others are
specialized and can be handled more easily after the others I listed are
installed. Then install your Antivirus software, immunize your system for
spyware/adware (SpywareBlaster and IE-SpyAd do this well) and start
installing your other applications. After installing each application,
check their web pages for updates and patches - Windows is not the only
software on your computer that needs updating!
