Trying to reformat samsung drive when reinstalling XP with SP1

[shelirose]

I'd like to reinstall windows XP on a computer with MSI motherboard,
Intel Duo E7300 and Samsung SATA 500 gig hard drive. During the
initial install, I was asked if I wanted to format the drive and the
install appeared to run smoothly. I then downloaded SP3 and installed
it successfully. A week or so later, I tried setting up the fax option
and it prompted me to reinsert my XP disc (it only includes SP1). I
unchecked an internet option on the menu before downloading the new
files and got a message that said windows might not work properly. I'm
still booting up but lost the explore ICON. I copied a shortcut of
"iexplore.exe" and can still access Windows Explorer.

However, I've been trying to do a clean install since not much is on
the computer.
I believe that I'm booting from the CD as files begin to load and the
CD light is on.It also seems like the hard drive light is on and I
never get the options of 1)new installation or 2) Repair an existing
installation.
Instead many more files continue to load until I get a screen that
says "Session3_Initialization_Failed".

Shouldn't I be getting a prompt to reformat the drive? If not, does
anyone have an idea of why I can't reinstall.
Note that I can still load Windows XP if I'm booting from the hard
drive. I'm a little tentative trying to reinstall from the CD in the
case that I'll won't be able to reboot from the hard drive.

Any suggestions on how I can do a clean reinstall including
reformatting the drive?

 

[smlunatick]

I'd like to reinstall windows XP on a computer with MSI motherboard,
Intel Duo E7300 and Samsung SATA 500 gig hard drive. During the
initial install, I was asked if I wanted to format the drive and the
install appeared to run smoothly. I then downloaded SP3 and installed
it successfully. A week or so later, I tried setting up the fax option
and it prompted me to reinsert my XP disc (it only includes SP1). I
unchecked an internet option on the menu before downloading the new
files and got a message that said windows might not work properly. I'm
still booting up but lost the explore ICON. I copied a shortcut of
"iexplore.exe" and can still access Windows Explorer.

However, I've been trying to do a clean install since not much is on
the computer.
I believe that I'm booting from the CD as files begin to load and the
CD light is on.It also seems like the hard drive light is on and I
never get the options of 1)new installation or 2) Repair an existing
installation.
Instead many more files continue to load until I get a screen that
says "Session3_Initialization_Failed".

Shouldn't I be getting a prompt to reformat the drive? If not, does
anyone have an idea of why I can't reinstall.
Note that I can still load Windows XP if I'm booting from the hard
drive. I'm a little tentative trying to reinstall from the CD in the
case that I'll won't be able to reboot from the hard drive.

Any suggestions on how I can do a clean reinstall including
reformatting the drive?

Since you already have SP1, you need to do the following:

1) Uninstall SP3 before reinstalling.

OR

2) Download the complete SP3 update file and create a revised install
CD by following Microsoft's own instructions of "slipsteaming" a
service pack onto your install CD.

 

[Andrew E.]

Why unchecking IE in windows components,that was a mistake..Either way,
before the reinstall,reset the BIOS..1st boot device is xp cd,2nd hd,also,chk
that SATA is enabled,by default it isnt,save & exit BIOS.At xp cd boot,try
pressing F6 key (RAID/SATA drivers),install the SATA drivers from the cd
the mfg included with board,or download from intel for youre SATA controller,
once thru,proceed to xp boot menu...Also,leave the xp cd as is,dont
slipstream.