How do I reformat and reinstall Windows XP on my computer?

Question

I recently recieved a computer from my brother in law. Being so excited I deleted some key files. Instead of searching for the problem, I want to reinstall Windows so I can clean the computer. I have the Windows CD, just dont want to do something stupid and mess something up worse. thanks

Answer 1

If you have the windows CD, put it in and you'll see a list of options. reinstalling should be one of them.

Answer 2

Before you do anything, make sure that you have the CD Key for your copy of Windows. If you don't have it, then I have heard of free software that will help you. Check out the review here and see if it will work for you. http://lifehacker.com/software/information/screenshot-tour-learn-everything-about-your-pc-with-siw-236760.php

To do the install you first have to reset your bios, the chip that tells the PC what to do before loading Windows. Turn on the machine and make sure that you're holding the 'F2' key. For the majority of computers this gets you into the bios setup.

Be VERY CAREFUL in bios! Screw something up here and you'll need to find a certified geek to help fix it. Don't worry too much though. Everything is clearly labeled, usually, with good descriptions of what to change. Now what you're going to do is real simple...

You'll be using the 'tab' key to move around and you'll want to find an option to change the boot sequence. This is where the bios will look first for an operating system. You'll need to press enter and then use the arrow keys to change the sequence. What you want is for the CD to be first followed by the hard drive. Press 'esc' and choose 'yes' to save settings before exiting.

If you make a mistake or are unsure just press 'esc' and choose 'exit without saving'.

Now install the XP disc. Follow the onscreen directions. You'll have the choice to repair your current installation or to reinstall. Once you start to reinstall you'll get the option to remove the c:\ partition. Choose this and it will ask if you're really sure. Say yes, and it will remove files off of C. This is not a true reformat of the disk, but good enough.

Now follow the rest of the installation instructions.

If you are truly serious about doing a true reformatting of the C drive then go to lifehacker.com and do a search for formatting. In the discussions there are good recommendations for free utilities to do that. Once the hard drive is reformatted then messing around with the bios is not an issue. Good luck and have fun.

Answer 3

Insert the CD and boot the computer. The installer will find the previous installation. It will ask you if you have to format the drive or install over on top of the exising install. Don't format, just install the files.
After the installation is complete, you will need to reinstall all of the applications that were on the machine before. Go to Microsoft website and browse to Windows Updates to get all of the patches. Log in as the Adminstrator and create a new user profile for yourself. You will still have the old files if you need them,.

Answer 4

Stick the windows cd in restart the computer, if it say boot from cd click yes...

First try to repair the windows files which will be an option that pops up clearly and see if that works, in case you needed your files on it.

If not or if that fails instead of doing that...click past it and keep going with the install windows options

Then you will see a screen that says something about drive partitions... delete the partition that your windows was on, it will clearly say delete and have a key to push. follow through that the final key to delete it is L when you see that menu your in the right spot.

Then choose to create partition (select the drive you just deleted)
Click next and it will give you an option that says format drive and the options will be fast or slow format
You want to choose the one that says slow format (NTFS) which ever is the slow one.

Then that will take a few hours come back and start using windows.

Answer 5

In this case you don't have to reinstall from scratch, there is a repair function when you insert and boot from the xp CD you have. Take note, after everything finished loading it will ask you whether you want to install or repair. Press enter to install ( DON't chose to repair at this stage). Then it will come up another dialog to press 'R' to repair, Press 'R' then, and follow instructions.

Note: If files associated with windows system folder are corrupted, you will not be able to do the above ( the stage where it prompts you to press 'R' won't come out), in which case you will need to reinstall everything from scratch.
To boot from CD, insert CD and restart. It will prompt press any key to boot from CD, if it doesn't , restart and press either f2, f8, f10 or f12 ( have to try out) to go into bios and change the boot device sequence.

Answer 6

is this a homestead windows XP retail CD? If its from a type call laptop like Dell the homestead windows XP OEM disk is tied to the Dell hardware and could no longer setting up on yet another laptop. If its an as much as the instant laptop, the disc could be tied on your unique hardware. Win XP assessments to work out if there are too many hardware updates to work out once you're setting up an entire new motherboard and CPU. those are in simple terms my strategies because of the fact except somebody is nice in front of the laptop those issues could be annoying to diagnose.

Answer 7

when you get to the install screen with the windows CD, chose "format with NTFS" this will completely erase anythign on the hard disk and fix any errors if there are any, and reinstall windows. nice fresh clean install.
you'll probably need drivers, though. get those and put them on a cd or jump drive before you reinstall.

Answer 8

just put in the windows cd and follow the instructions. You will lose everything saved on the computer, so make a backup of important files.

Answer 9

Hi

Why do you want to format your HDD ? You can do the dirty install so that the missing files will be replaced.

Answer 10

here's Mike's easy install page

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html