I have had it and I am going to do what people told me to do a long
time ago.
I am going to reformat the drive and start over.
FIRST,
KEEP YOUR XP CD Rom handy. You will need it VERY soon.
#1 Boot the computer.
#2 Watch the screen CAREFULLY and when it says "Press ___ to enter
Setup" watch for the key(s) to press to enter the Setup.
Typically, you'll see F2, but you'll need to use whatever your
computer is setup for.
Once you have hit the proper key to get into the setup, look for the
screen that says "Boot Order." Follow the instructions on your screen
(computers these days are AMAZING in that they are programmed so that
if you SIMPLY READ THE SCREEN, IT WILL USUALLY TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT
TO DO NEXT)
#3 Set the boot order so that the computer boots FIRST from your
CD-Rom drive, 2nd from the C drive (hard drive), also called the IDE
drive.
Once you have set the boot order to boot from the CD-Rom drive
#4 Save the setup (it should say something like "Press F10 to save the
New Setup")
#5 Reboot. The screen MAY say "Press F10 to save the setup AND
reboot."
The point is to reboot once you have saved the boot order to boot from
the CD-Rom.
#6 As the computer is starting, you are now running from the ON-BOARD
firmware.
#7 OPen the CD Rom drive and insert the XP CD rom.
#8 AGAIN, watch the screen carefully, you MAY need to reboot with the
XP CD Rom in the CD Rom drive if you weren't quick about putting the
CD Rom in.
#9 Here is where some people think "it gets tricky."
When the computer boots WITH THE XP CD ROM IN THE CD Rom drive, you
will get a message you need to watch for.
The message will tell you,
"To boot from the CD, press any key."
#10 At this point, PRESS ANY KEY! Don't dilly dally.
It will only allow you several seconds. Some computers will
automatically go to the CD and begin reading it. Some computers will
hang. (your computer may be one that hangs at this point, if you do
nothing)
#11 Once you have pressed a key ( I recommend the Space bar), the CD
Rom drive will begin reading your XP install CD.
#12 FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
The computer will run through several routines, and then you will
get a
menu
asking you if you want to
1. format
or
if you want to
2. delete the partition.
# 13 Select the option to delete the partition. This will clean
whatever issues you are having with your hard drive.
This deleting the partition will only take a couple of seconds
(LITERALLY), and then you will be asked if you wish to partition.
#14 Select the option to partition, and select to partition the
maximum amount (ASSUMING you have a hard drive that is UNDER 130 GB.
The partitioning routine-- AGAIN-- only takes a few seconds, and THEN,
the formatting is AUTOMATIC.
v v THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT v v
The NEXT issue you are going to be concerned about is when the
computer reboots to continue installing XP.
You will AGAIN, when the system reboots, be asked
"Press any key to install from the CD."
DO NOT DO ANYTHING at this point! IF you press a key, you are
STARTING FROM SCRATCH AGAIN.
LEAVE THE COMPUTER ALONE. IT is now installing XP.
When the computer needs input, it will tell you.
You will be asked for your name, your company name, etc. At this
point, you will enter the information asked for.
Also be sure you have your "serial #" or "key" available. During
this process-- roughly halfway through-- you will be required to put
the # in for the installation to finish.
As for Service Pack 1, once you get the XP installed (you are at the
desktop), and everything that "installs itself on bootup", you can go
to the Microsoft website and install Service Pack 1.
Good luck!
Tallahassee
