Reinstall ZP

[Guest]

I have XP on my Dell computer and tried resintalling with the CD that came with the PC, hoping that it would just install over top of the existing XP, giving me a clean OS. Instead, it copied over a lot of files and did not clean out the hard drive like I had hoped. I want to have an otherwise clean hard drive and fresh XP for my OS. How do I do this? I've tried formatting the C: drive, etc. and don't know what to do...?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

I would suggest backing up your important documents and files,
then perform a "clean install" as follows:

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| I have XP on my Dell computer and tried resintalling with the CD that came with the PC, hoping that it would
just install over top of the existing XP, giving me a clean OS. Instead, it copied over a lot of files and
did not clean out the hard drive like I had hoped. I want to have an otherwise clean hard drive and fresh XP
for my OS. How do I do this? I've tried formatting the C: drive, etc. and don't know what to do...?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD and pay careful
attention to the on-screen instructions and prompts. You'll be
offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as
part of the installation process.

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm


Bruce Chambers

--
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having both at once. -- RAH

I have XP on my Dell computer and tried resintalling with the CD

that came with the PC, hoping that it would just install over top of
the existing XP, giving me a clean OS. Instead, it copied over a lot
of files and did not clean out the hard drive like I had hoped. I
want to have an otherwise clean hard drive and fresh XP for my OS.
How do I do this? I've tried formatting the C: drive, etc. and don't
know what to do...?