If you selected "New Installation" rather than the default "Upgrade"
option during setup, then you have likely corrupted your programs.
Only resolution is to perform a "clean install" and then reinstall all
your programs. If you no longer have the CDs to install your programs,
you'll have to purchase new software programs.
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. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".
7. 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.
--
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 upgraded from 98 SE to XP home. I chose upgrade
| over complete new re-install due to the many programs we
| have on our machine. However after the install when you
| go to "Start" "Programs" none of the programs are
| listed. They are still on the machine as you can see
| them in explorer but I cannot get any to run. Any
| suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I do not want
| to and cannot re-install some of these programs.