how can i install windows xP on this computer?

Question

i have a second hand computer (the BIOS is from 1998) and i have a windows ME on it but its too damaged i really messed the windows and i cant even start the Disk Cleanup.I want to install Windows XP but when i run the setup it says that the upgrade cant be done ,the file specified is missing (or something like that). It is good if i just format the hard drive "C" (where the windows is located)and then install the windows XP?
If this is not a good idea.Then just tell me how to install the windows XP.Please
The thing might sound idiotic but i am only 15 years old and i live in romania where people dont talk english,and i am asking this because i dont have anybody that can help me and if i follow the instructions in the book that i got with the WIndows XP CD i cant do anything,

Answer 1

Windows XP Clean Installation - Partitioning and Formatting using Windows XP CD
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_install_-_graphic.htm
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Windows XP Clean Install (Interactive Setup)
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

Answer 2

If you have the "Upgrade" version of Windows XP, which is cheaper, then it wants to find an older version of Windows and can't find the file, so it quits. Wiping the disk will leave you in the same state. One trick is to go to another computer and make a set of disks to boot and install windows from CD or Floppy. This normally does no good because once you get it installed, it won't run because it wants to go on the internet and verify the code numbers, but they are already assigned to another computer (the one you got the files from) But if you quit when it tries, I have found you can then go back and install the update to XP that you have since the files are now out on the drive.

Answer 3

OK. First off, check in the bios for your boot order

you need to make sure that the CDRom comes before the Harddrive.

once that is accomplished, simply put the cd in, start the pc, and press any key to boot from cd when prompted.

follow the instructions. this install will format and install windows XP to your harddrive.

what you are trying to do, is upgrade from windows ME, which will not help your situation. Nor does it work in most cases.


Good Luck, and if you have any questions, feel free to email me at [e-mail]

Answer 4

Just to add, Win98 has a 'security' device in the software that doesn't like to 'recognize' another operating system. You can fool it by going into your BIOS Setup Utility.(some call it BIOS, a fallacy as you can't change your BIOS program, it's burned into the chip! You can adjust parameter's in it though with the utility. Also called BIOS Setup on your start-up screen). When you get into BIOS Setup you'll want to change the Boot Option to cdrom as the First Boot Device. How? As soon as you push the power button on, tap F1. or the Delete key. If this is an older computer one of these key's should do it. Be patient, takes a few second's. Now a screen will come up probably in Red and Blue, look's really simple,(more like a command prompt screen than a Graphics User Interface screen!). Look across the top headings. Do you see Boot Options? No? That's okay! See Standard CMOS,(or BIOS), Setup, and under it Advanced CMOS,(or BIOS) Setup? Use the Up/Down arrows to 'highlight' Advanced. Press the Enter key. This will take you into a sub-menu of Advanced. Do you see Boot Options? Use the Up/Down key/s again, to 'highlight' it. press Enter. Don't worry, we're not changing anything in BIOS yet, just looking around! In this sub-menu of Boot Options you'll probably see three to four options listed. Floppy drive first, cdrom second, HDD0 third, and if it has a fourth, probably somethin' from the internet. Look at the bottom of the screen. It will list what keys to use to Change Values. May be the +/- ,(Plus/Minus keys), or the Page UP/Page Down keys. Use the UP/Down key/s to 'highlight' the First Boot Device, -Floppy. Use the appropiate key to change the value. See Cdrom, or HDD pop-up there? Stop at cdrom,(you can just keep clicking until it comes around again). Now if you have cdrom listed as the First Boot Device, and the second, or third, you'll want to change that also. Have cdrom first, floppy second, HDD0 third, leave fourth,(if applicable), as it was. We want cdrom FIRST BOOT DEVICE. Now, press the F10 key, and then the y key for Yes.,(looks like capital Y, but just use lowercase). Open the cdrom drive, put the WinXP disk in, close it. Didn'tboot from the disk? No worries! With the disk in the drive, we'll just re-start the computer,(reboot), by simply pressing the CTRL key, the ALT key, and the Delete keys AT THE SAME TIME. Be patient, WinXp should boot now. When it says it has another 3583546MB, (just a number I picked!), on another partition, do you want to save it? NO! Do a fresh install of WinXP. This work's for a Full Version disk, or a Upgrade Version. Good luck, email me through Yahoo Answers here with any questions,(just click on my avatar, and follow thru) EDIT: If you don't see Boot Options in Advanced BIOS,(CMOS) Setup, look thru the other headings by using the arrow keys.
EDIT 2: Helps to really READ the question! Yes, an upgrade version will try to find the codec of the older version in order to install. If your WinMe has been corrupted that bad, it won't 'see it'. If you have the WinMe disk just pop it in, let it run a few seconds. Then put the WInXP disk in, and run from First Boot Option cdrom. This answer of mine will NOT work with an upgrade version, without having the WinMe disk to fix the codec set by it.

Answer 5

A 10 year old computer may not have the resources to run XP satisfactorily. Why don't you re-install ME on it?

Before you reformat the HD, cant you you go to Safe Mode command prompt? Usually, the install files are located in C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS and you can run SETUP from there.

Answer 6

Why became into it freshly put in - perhaps a hardware issue which you concept became right into a application issue? you will have old drivers or in ordinary terms a device that can not handle the pro version of WinXp. understanding your CPU speed, the quantity of RAM and the perplexing tension length could have been effective to ive you a greater advantageous answer.