Formatting hard drive?

Question

I have windows xp service pack 2 and I want to format my hard drive by putting windows xp without service pack 2 on it. I keep getting a error saying I can't do it because my windows is more up to date than the disk. How do i bypass this?

Answer 1

you have to install XP with the boot-up method. When you do that, it should work.

Answer 2

You need to boot from the cd.

Turn the computer off with the XP disk in the drive, then hit a key when it says "hit a key to boot from cd".

Then you will be able to format and reinstall XP. Keep in mind that it will delete EVERYTHING off your computer during this process.


Out of curiosity, why do you want to do this? Service pack 2 has some very important updates and patches for windows XP. Not having it installed leaves you vulnerable to certain attacks.

Answer 3

Only one way to do it! Format the hard drive when given the option. Don't keep system files. You need to start your pc go into bios and set teh pc to boot from cd drive that xp disc is in. When loading it gives the option to format completely. Don't forget to back up your files first to an external device though

Answer 4

Run Windows

My Computer...

right click on the hard drive

select Format... you will erase the installation and everything else

Answer 5

You might try a system restore to see if you are able to go back far enough before you installed SP2.

May I question why you want to get rid of SP2. If you are having a problem, maybe one of us here can help you.

Answer 6

u have to boot from the disk ... u cant update from within windows ... if u still have problems put somthing like partition magic on ur machine and delete the partition that way .. it works ... ive done it ..

Answer 7

Why would you want to get rid of SP2?

SP1 is no longer supported by Microsoft. If you go back to SP1 auto-update will reinstall SP2