Reformat and reinstall Windows XP

[Al J]

I purchased a new computer and I want to format my old
computer and re-install Windows XP. Where can I find step
by step directions on how to do this?
Also, I have a Windows XP Home Edition 2002 Upgrade with
the product key.I also have the original Windows XP Home
Edition disk that came with my Dell Computer but no
product key came with it. Will this be a problem?

 

[Roy Coorne]

I purchased a new computer and I want to format my old
computer and re-install Windows XP. Where can I find step
by step directions on how to do this?

Boot into BIOS, change boot seqauence to 1. CD, put in your WinXP-CD,
boot from this CD and - following instructions on the screen - format
your HD and install WinXP.

Also, I have a Windows XP Home Edition 2002 Upgrade with
the product key.

You will have an old Win98-CD lying around which you may throw into
the slot when WinXP Upgrade asks for legitimation...

I also have the original Windows XP Home
Edition disk that came with my Dell Computer but no
product key came with it. Will this be a problem?

IF this WinXP is installed, you may read the key by means of Everest -
http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en - the successor of Aida32.

On the DELL PC, there should be a sticker with the key...


HTH - Roy

 

[Phil]

1 - just boot to the xp cd and follow the on-screen instructions. The cd has
all the tools to format and install xp.
2 - your dell product key will be stuck to the dell computers case.

 

[The Prophecy]

I purchased a new computer and I want to format my old
computer and re-install Windows XP. Where can I find step
by step directions on how to do this?
Also, I have a Windows XP Home Edition 2002 Upgrade with
the product key.I also have the original Windows XP Home
Edition disk that came with my Dell Computer but no
product key came with it. Will this be a problem?

Black Viper has a great Step-by-Step install guide for Windows XP Home.

http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/InstallXPHome/installxphome1.htm

 

[Alex Nichol]

I purchased a new computer and I want to format my old
computer and re-install Windows XP. Where can I find step
by step directions on how to do this?
Also, I have a Windows XP Home Edition 2002 Upgrade with
the product key.I also have the original Windows XP Home
Edition disk that came with my Dell Computer but no
product key came with it.

You must keep the copies for the two machines separate. Use the Dell
disk with the Dell machine; the key for that will be on a label stuck to
the back of the machine - make sure you have a separate record of it,
just in case

To reinstall on your older machine use the upgrade CD and key that you
used before. You will need the 'evidence' of the old version that
qualifies for the upgrade. If that is a regular CD of say win98, you
only need show setup that in the drive for a moment when it asks where
windows is. You do it as part of a reinstall of the system after
booting the XP CD direct. Enter Setup, and after the license agreement
take New Install. When it asks you to confirm where, hit ESC; select
and delete the current partition and make a new RAW one to be formatted
at the next stage

The important point is the delete. Without that it will just go ahead
and make a new install over the top of the old one


If all you have is a maker's restore CD of the old windows, you will
need to run that to restore and then run the CD from it. Take Install,
change to New install and proceed in the same way