Reinstalling Windows XP?

Question

I have a Dell Windows XP home, Centron, laptop that I use for general downloads. It is running slow, and I have detected some viruses that Norton can't get rid of. Although very slow, it seems to work for the internet and Word. Since this is my "play" computer, I just want to start from scratch and reinstall Windows using the Dell disc provided.

BUT, The reinstall will not go forward. When I insert the Rinstall CD and turn the computer on, I go to Windows Setup, but I get a message "Setup has encountered a problem and cannot continue. The following status codes will assist in diagnosisng the problem (0X4, 0, 0, 0)."

I then tried to reformat C: and get a message that drive C is locked and in use and cannot be reformatted.

Anyone can help?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Before you reinstall windows you may want to determine which virus your computer has contracted and look it up on the internet for any recommendations or steps on how to get it removed from your computer. It may be the source of all your problems even with the reinstallation process. If Norton cant fix it, there may be round about ways to get rid of it. Norton typically cant fix all viruses I've noticed. I'm not sure what it wont even reformat c which is very odd. Try looking for the status codes on the web or the symptoms you are getting to try to track down the virus.