My dell came with a Microsoft XP re-install disc, Can I format and re-install from that disc?

Question

I tried a re-install and because it was'nt clear about overwriting the currently installed program I ended up with two windows programs on comp. One functional , the new one installed and the orginal that does'nt. The problem is that I am now getting the same blue screen errors as i did with the first windows. So I want to wipe hard drive clean and re-install, but can this be done with the disc Dell provided?

Answer 1

Firstly, run tests on all the system hardware and chk if they are ok. Could be a faulty memory stick or a hard drive. Next you can load windows Xp using the disk. You can follow the on screen instructions which you get during the installation. Else call up Dell. That would be perfect. They would do all the above mentioned procedures.

In case your system was bought recently, the operating system is already on a partition on the hard drive, from where you can restore the system back to its original form.

Answer 2

Yes.

According to the information you provided, you've done a reinstall before so I won't type out every step.

It sounds like the cd you have is a recovery Windows XP cd. This is not a full Windows XP cd so formatting and reinstalling with it is not going to work like a regular cd.

When you insert the cd and it takes you to a screen asking if you would like to backup the original files and then install, choose to do a destructive install. (Note: this will wipe all your files so back them up on cd or dvd first)

The recovery will wipe everything before it and return it to factory settings so you may end up with everything that was originally on your computer (including software trials like MS Office for 60 days or Norton for 30 days)



If I interpreted your information wrong and you have a full Windows XP cd, then do the following:

1) Boot off the Windows cd.
2) When the screen comes up asking about installing, repairing or cancelling, choose install.
3) This will bring you to a page that will display the hard drive (normally 1 partition, but can be 2 or more).
4) Delete all partitions (if more than one). Otherwise skip this step.
5) Now select to create a new partition, make it 4GB. And the other partition should be the remainder.
6) Format the new partition and install Windows XP on it.
7) When you are done installing Windows XP, copy and paste this into Notepad and Save as DefInstall.reg (change file type when saving to All Files)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion]
"ProgramFilesDir"="D:\"

8) Double click the .reg file to run it and merge with your registry.


If you're wondering why I ask you to put 2 partitions, the reason is simple. Windows XP is bound to crash at some point again (somehow it always seems to). When it does happen to crash again, the only "drive" that will be affected is your C:\ (Windows XP partition). All your files and programs will safely be on your D:\ and you will only need to re-install Windows to your C:\ again to fix any major issues.

You also may want to move your My Documents folder to the D:\ as well (the target link on your desktop should change automatically)

Note: The .reg file changes your default program install path to D:\ (which should be your 2nd partition on the hard drive)

Answer 3

If it is jsut a windows disc then you can stick in the disc and hit enter a few times F1 once i believe and then select the aprtitio and hit F i tihnk. you cna jsut use partition magic or osmetihng to format the hard drive and install Windows XP as a clean install.

Answer 4

no the disc wont delete the hard drive heres my deleting hard drives lesson:

Are you sure you want to erace your entire hard drive?
SUGGESTION I
1. Go to My Computer.
2. Right-Click on the drive that you want to delete.
3. Click Format.
4. Check Quick Format.
5. Click Start.
I dont think this will work so do this
SUGGESTION II
1. Buy a Hard Drive
2. Replace them

Answer 5

I'm telling you best way that is first format your HDD with Segate DM software bcoz it will format your HDD in very fast & reliable after then use your Dell Quick re-installation CD for fresh installation.

Answer 6

to format a sistem partition you may restart your pc with CD interior. till now you may set your pc to reboot from a CD (you're trying this for the time of BIOS). In DOS you may bypass to achronic which could no longer sistem one. then you actually style: format_c:_/Q_/fs:ntfs. "c" beeing sistem partition. at the same time as that is executed, restart back. The instalation will initiate. when I say CD I mean Win CD.

Answer 7

Hard to say I sure hope you can. If it the full version of Windows then yes. If not hmm well there is always Widows 2000. Not joking ether.

Answer 8

yes you can.//

Answer 9

ya it should .