Reinstalling Windows XP Home Edition

[Lawrence]

I have a Dell 8100 computer, it came loaded with Windows
ME. I got tired of all error problems, so I formatted my
hard drive and installed Windows XP Home Edition. In the
installation of Windows XP Home Edition, I converted from
FAT32 to NTFS. While reinstalling all my hardware and
software, I ran into the problem of my CD Writer software
was not compatible with Windows XP. I screwed up and
deleted what portion was installed by the initial attempt
to load the CD Writer software without using the
uninstall or the add/remove programs in control panel, I
just deleted from Windows Explorer, I now it was stupid,
by now I'm stuck with my mistake. On another attempt to
install the original software that came with the CD
Writer, Windows XP showed a dialog box with 5 options (I
had never encountered this type of dialog box before as
it is something new in Windows XP), and I mistakenly
chose the option "Take no Action", so now all attempts to
load this software, nothing happens, the CD just spins in
the D drive, but won't initiate the installlation
process. I tried run and typed in setup.exe, but it
still would not initiate the installation process. I
emailed the company who made the software and they said
yes the original software was incompatible with Windows
XP and offered downloads for new software. I downloaded
the new software and tried to install, but it won't
because it says I need to uninstall the original
software. The original software is listed when I look at
the list of programs using control panel\add remove
programs. When I attempt to remove the program, it won't
stating it can't find some files. I tried uninstalling
the program using Norton and Norton won't uninstall it
either saying it contains some protected file.
So now I want to format my hard drive as this is the only
way that I know of to get rid of the partial software
that was loaded onto the computer, and reinstall Windows
XP Home Edition. By converting from FAT32 to NTFS, my
Dell CD resource disk that I used to format my hard drive
the first time is not useable because of the conversion
of the file system to NTFS.
So my question is how do I create a Setup CD disk similar
to the one that came from Dell that will allow me to
format the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP Home
Edition. I don't want to change the partions on the Hard
Drive that exist now. Does the Windows XP Home Edition
CD Full Version that I used to install Windows XP Home
Edition have the Setup information incorporated on the
CD? or do I need to make a setup CD, and if so, how?
I need step by step process instructions on what I need
to do.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

you will need a win98 startup disk... run fdisk.... delete non msdos partition...then put a dos partion back in ...reboot....and run fdisk..... format disk....and then try the restore cd... see ya

 

[krok dundee]

I have a Dell 8100 computer, it came loaded with Windows
ME. I got tired of all error problems, so I formatted my
hard drive and installed Windows XP Home Edition. In the
installation of Windows XP Home Edition, I converted from
FAT32 to NTFS. While reinstalling all my hardware and
software, I ran into the problem of my CD Writer software
was not compatible with Windows XP. I screwed up and
deleted what portion was installed by the initial attempt
to load the CD Writer software without using the
uninstall or the add/remove programs in control panel, I
just deleted from Windows Explorer, I now it was stupid,
by now I'm stuck with my mistake. On another attempt to
install the original software that came with the CD
Writer, Windows XP showed a dialog box with 5 options (I
had never encountered this type of dialog box before as
it is something new in Windows XP), and I mistakenly
chose the option "Take no Action", so now all attempts to
load this software, nothing happens, the CD just spins in
the D drive, but won't initiate the installlation
process. I tried run and typed in setup.exe, but it
still would not initiate the installation process. I
emailed the company who made the software and they said
yes the original software was incompatible with Windows
XP and offered downloads for new software. I downloaded
the new software and tried to install, but it won't
because it says I need to uninstall the original
software. The original software is listed when I look at
the list of programs using control panel\add remove
programs. When I attempt to remove the program, it won't
stating it can't find some files. I tried uninstalling
the program using Norton and Norton won't uninstall it
either saying it contains some protected file.
So now I want to format my hard drive as this is the only
way that I know of to get rid of the partial software
that was loaded onto the computer, and reinstall Windows
XP Home Edition. By converting from FAT32 to NTFS, my
Dell CD resource disk that I used to format my hard drive
the first time is not useable because of the conversion
of the file system to NTFS.
So my question is how do I create a Setup CD disk similar
to the one that came from Dell that will allow me to
format the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP Home
Edition. I don't want to change the partions on the Hard
Drive that exist now. Does the Windows XP Home Edition
CD Full Version that I used to install Windows XP Home
Edition have the Setup information incorporated on the
CD? or do I need to make a setup CD, and if so, how?
I need step by step process instructions on what I need
to do.

Thanks

Can't you just boot up from the xp cd and reinstall you os again? you
can delete the partitions and reformat again... always worked for me.
hope this helps rob

 

[Guest]

This is like killing the cat because it has a hair ball. Rather drastic but it does work. You need to slow down and stop panicing. By your description of the problem you have Roxio Easy CD Creator which is known to have issues with XP and in order to uninstall it completely you need to go to the Roxio site and do some looking. They do have a removal tool that will stop the problem you are having and allow you to reinstall it. You can of course do a fresh install by simpling putting your XP disk in the drive and booting the system up and then following the on screen prompts to do a new or fresh install. Do not use the repair feature but rather be sure to format ( I recommend the full not the fast) and then set your partitions as you want. Good luck

 

[Alex Nichol]

of the file system to NTFS.
So my question is how do I create a Setup CD disk similar
to the one that came from Dell that will allow me to
format the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP Home
Edition. I don't want to change the partions on the Hard
Drive that exist now. Does the Windows XP Home Edition
CD Full Version that I used to install Windows XP Home
Edition have the Setup information incorporated on the
CD?

Your CD is itself bootable, and has everything you need. First make
*sure* you have the 25 character Product Key that came with XP - you
will not be able to install without it.

You need to check in the machine's manual for the correct key to hit on
powering on in order to enter the BIOS setup (likely to be DEL, maybe F2
or another Function key).. Then use that as the initial memory count
goes on, and set the boot order to boot the CD before Hard disk. This
may be in a specific Boot section (use down arrow to get to the CD then
+ on the number pad to push it to the top) or in a BIOS settings (down
arrow to Boot order, then PageDn to cycle round to get CDRom;C,. . .)
Either way hit ESC then take Exit and Save, with the XP CD ready in the
drive. When asked, hit a key to confirm you *do * want to boot the CD.

Then enter Setup Windows 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 you are
formatting the drive, best to make sure.

Once XP is running you can install appropriate CD burning software. But
what came with the CD, way back, is probably *not* compatible with XP
and you may need to get something fresh