reinstall

[Guest]

I want to reformat and reinstall XP, but when I try to run the install cd, I
get a message saying that the version on my PC is newer than the one I want
to install, and won't let me go any further. Can anyone please help?
Thanks

 

[Dave B.]

Boot from the XP CD, do not start the install from within Windows.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I want to reformat and reinstall XP, but when I try to run the
install cd, I get a message saying that the version on my PC is newer
than the one I want to install, and won't let me go any further. Can
anyone please help? Thanks

That's because you have SP2 (or SP1) installed and your CD is without it.

However, if your intent is to format and do a clean reinstallation, it
doesn't matter what's installed now. If you're getting that message, you are
doing this wrong. Do *not* try to reinstall from within Windows, but just
boot from the Windows XP CD (change the BIOS boot order if necessary to
accomplish this) and follow the prompts for a clean installation (delete the
existing partition by pressing "D" when prompted, then create a new one).

You can find detailed instructions here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

or here http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

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

 

[Guest]

And you really should research this first before attempting a reinstall.
http://www.djdenham.com/Install Procedures.htm#Install

 

[Rock]

Boot from the XP CD, do not start the install from within Windows.

That's not the reason. It's because the install CD has a lower service
pack level than the installed OS. See Ken's answer.

 

[Rock]

I want to reformat and reinstall XP, but when I try to run the install cd, I
get a message saying that the version on my PC is newer than the one I want
to install, and won't let me go any further. Can anyone please help?
Thanks

To add to Ken's post. If you're so inclined, you can create a new
installation CD slipstreamed with SP2. Then use that to install clean.
Here are some links with information on how to create the slipstreamed CD.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
http://unattended.msfn.org/beginner/slipstream.htm

Autostreamer
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic