so I have 2 drives, C: - which has windows XP on it and F: - which has my music on it. I need to format c: and install XP again cos theres too much crap on it. I use the XP wizard but it wont let me format and re install on C:, only on F:, because the setup files its using are on C: is there a way I can choose to put the set up files on F: so i can do it this way, or do I have to do something with a win98 boot disk? how would i do that if needed?
How are you installing XP? from the original disc? from a manufacturers re-install set or from a folder stored on the C: drive? If booting from an original xp instal disc, during set up you can determine where to put your operating system. If the F: drive is bocoming a problem just disconect it during your instal so that the set up routine only sees the one disc. For a complete re-instal try reading this site for a good run down on the procedure. It will save me typing it all out here. Good luck http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html and for help repairing xp look here http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
installing from an xp cd, already have windows on C drive but want to format and reload it. I choose c: to re install on, it but it wont format it because the xp cd's setup files are on there?
Assuming you want to format and re install xp on to the c: drive. Make sure the cd drive is the first boot device from within the bios. Put xp cd in cd drive and boot the machine. Hit any key to boot from cd. Setup will start copying files, if you need to install any third-party or RAID drivers press F6 at this time. Next you will get the option to repair or enter setup, choose to enter setup. Press ENTER. Press F8 to agree to the license Setup will scan for previous Windows installations you want to remove and delete the partition with your previous version of xp by pressing "D". You will then be prompted to create a new partition in the empty space. This will remove all data from the deleted space. If you only want 1 partion then create a new one to maximum size as offered by the set up routine. else create partitions of the sizes you want. Choose to format the partition, it's recommended that you use NTFS for xp use and then I always use the full format rather than the quick. press enter and wait. Setup will show a progress box and reboot when copying files is complete. When you see the "Press any Key to Reboot" do not Press any Key. If CD boots anyway, remove CD and reboot. From this point, you will follow the on screen prompts and set XP up to your specifications and location. Remember to have your key at hand to enter when asked. When you have completed the install , remember before trying to access the internet to install all motherboard and add on card drivers, a good firewall program and anti virus. Then and only then access the internet to update every thing. Thank you to this site for most of the copy and pasted items above http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps good luck with the reinstall
hey thanks for the info ive set it to boot from cdrom first but i dont think its working. it just goes to this screen "start windows pro" "start windows pro set up" i think i have files from the set up where i tried before on the HDD still, because this comes up no matter what now when i restart, even with no cd in the drive, when i do go setup it says "windows files system32\dal.dll is missing , please load the files blah blah blah" I hope this makes sense, any help would be great, spy ware is really fusking my computer up now
It sounds as if the cd/dvd drive you have is malfunctioning or the xp cd is. Have you tried to clean the disc and is it possible to swap in another optical drive from another pc? It may be worth a go. But when set to boot from cd first, the machine should do exactly that.
ive tried two different xp disc, ones a cd one a dvd at startup delete will go to set up which i changed 1st boot device to cdrom, 2nd to floppy etc but i also noticed F8 at startup will go to boot options, where only floppy, ide-0 and ide-1 are available to boot from , should there be cdrom here?
It shouldn't really matter. When you set first boot device to cd rom and reboot. Does the drive access the disc at all? do you get a message similar to [bold]Press any key to boot from the CDROM[/bold]? If not then it may well be the drive at fault. Are the XP discs both original discs or back ups? if back ups do you have access to the original disc? The fact you already have files on the c: drive is irrelevant after partitioning the disc and formatting as all data will be lost and the partition will be ready to accept the new installation. If you have access to a win98 boot disc. Make sure floppy disc is selected as first boot device. (from microsoft site) I hope this may help.
