ok i have a windows xp home edition computer and i just got a computer that my uncle gave me and it is a windows xp home edition computer. i just bought windows xp professional and i want to format the hard dirve and get rid of everything in it how do i format my hardrive and install winodws xp professional?? i just dont know how and i am afraid i can do something to the computer!! please help!!
2006-10-29 11:15:41 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Check this out. Too much information to copy here.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6026_format-hard-drive.html
2006-10-29 16:10:38 · answer #1 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Windows XP Professional CD has the formating software on it. You just has to boot off the CD. First make sure your BIOS knows to try and boot from the CD ROM first. Because most of the time the computer is set to boot from the hard drive first, thus bypassing the CD ROM. Then put the Windows XP CD in and restart. After that it should boot to a menu where you can delete and make partitions(That means that you can divide the drive). After you make a partition it will ask you to format and you need to chose NTFS since it is the best. After that let it install and your done.
You can't go wrong and mess up the computer since you own the Windows CD and can always restart if something goes wrong which it shouldn't. So don't worry its very simple if you get lost XP provides instructions every step of the way.
2006-10-29 19:17:42 · answer #2 · answered by jack 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly you put in the XP disc and reboot your computer - watch the screen for the prompt that says press any key to boot from cd - then press any key. You'll get a blue screen and you wait for it to finish loading then you select the option for a fresh/new installation.
It would be wise to partition your hard drive into two sections so you can use one for windows and programmes and the other for all your documents and personal stuff so if you ever have to format in the future you don't lose any data.
Delete existing partitions by following the instructions and then create two new ones by making the first partition half the size of the max. Once this is done windows will then install itself onto your c: drive - just take your time and read each screen carefully.
2006-10-29 19:22:12 · answer #3 · answered by minotaur 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all you have to get to BIOS settings. Set the CD/DVD drive as boot then insert the CD of Windows and restart. When the computer restarts it will read the CD and ask you if you want to boot press any key. You press a key and it will load some stuff and then it will take you to Windows setup and you can format the drive there by following the instruction. It is very easy. Good luck!!
2006-10-29 19:21:10 · answer #4 · answered by Nicholas A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just put in the XP Pro disk. You will boot to cd, and answer a few questions like do you want to repair etc. I believe its enter to install a new load. This should bring you to where you can easily delete the old operating system and recreate the partition to install the operating system.
2006-10-29 19:19:09 · answer #5 · answered by Geek Girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
place the xp pro cd into the cd rom,restart the computer ..At welcome screen pick a full system install..follow on screen instructions
2006-10-29 19:18:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
why not just upgrade it?
2006-10-29 19:17:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋