partition problem

[Guest]

when i have to reinstall windows xp, i obviously have two options.
upgrade or fresh install.
i choose fresh install, go through the initial set-up procedure, then reboot
pc.
when i get to the screen that asks me where to install windows, this is
where the problems start.
if i choose to copy over the partition that currently contains the os, it
installs fine but when it is complete i find that my hard drive has the same
amount of space left on it as before (63gb out of 120gb).
the installation process doesn't delete the contents of the hard drive
completely.
secondly, if i choose to delete the partition that currently contains
windows, it doesn't let me.
it says that temporary files needed for the windows installation are located
on the partition and cannot delete.
i never had this problem before, i used to be able to delete the partition
for a totally fresh installation of win xp.
please help.

 

[Guest]

You need to boot from a DOS disk, and manually format (or remove) the
partition. It's always wise to do this before a fresh install anyway.

Tip; You can use the Recovery Console if you don't have a DOS disk. The
command is the same, format c:

 

[Nepatsfan]

(e-mail address removed),

when i have to reinstall windows xp, i obviously have two
options.
upgrade or fresh install.
i choose fresh install, go through the initial set-up
procedure, then reboot pc.
when i get to the screen that asks me where to install
windows, this is where the problems start.
if i choose to copy over the partition that currently
contains the os, it installs fine but when it is complete i
find that my hard drive has the same amount of space left on
it as before (63gb out of 120gb).
the installation process doesn't delete the contents of the
hard drive completely.
secondly, if i choose to delete the partition that currently
contains windows, it doesn't let me.
it says that temporary files needed for the windows
installation are located on the partition and cannot delete.
i never had this problem before, i used to be able to delete
the partition for a totally fresh installation of win xp.
please help.

How are you starting the XP installation?

If you try to start the installation from within your current
Windows installation you will get that error message. Instead,
you should be booting from the XP installation CD. You'll need
to configure your system's BIOS to boot from the CD drive.

Take a look at these articles for more info:

Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP
Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Clean Install Procedure with Illustrative Screen Captures
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_install_-_graphic.htm

Good luck

Nepatsfan