quick question.....is it better to format your c drive thru DOS then install windows xp or boot from the windows cd? will it have the same effect??? if i have to boot from dos how the hell do i get into dos without automatically loading up windows.. i created a boot disc thru XP but that won't allow me to format the c drive... sorry if i sound quiet dumb but u guys always help out when in need!!!
I would advise just loading the CD for the install. *Change the boot order of your drives in CMOS mode...make the first drive to boot your CD Drive. *Place your XP CD in the drive *Save your changes, and exit Upon reboot, your system will recognize the XP disc (it should) and start to install a fresh XP. You will select the location on the hdd you want to install XP. In the process, you will also be able to setup partitions if needed.
LEGEND!!! thanks so much i really appreciate it.. and if u could help me out with 1 last thing... should i install my broadband software first or my virus scan / internet security ??? will it make a difference????
Won't really make a difference. I'd do the Broadband software first...that way right after you install your ANTI-VIRUS, etc...you can register it and get updates.
sorry...i did exactly like u said...set up bios to run from my cd rom drive but it won't pick up the installation disk and just re-starts windows as normal...and ideas???????
Make sure your disc isn't scratched or anything. But that's all you should have to do...Some computers (while booting) make ask in a prompt if you want to boot fro a disc. Look for that when you bootup with the disc in. You may have to hit ENTER at that point. It should work if you changed the boot orderof your drive. You could also disable booting of all other drives except the CD drive...that may work.
if it won't boot for some reason, you can start the setup in Windows by double-clicking on the drive under My Computer. that will force a boot from the disc upon startup next time around, as long as you select Clean Install instead of Upgrade. that is, if you're currently able to get into windows. if not, hmm...
One additional thing that you should do: When you do get to the screen to actually install XP, you will get a few options. Choose the option to delete the partition that you have XP on, now. You will then get the option to create a new partition. Click yes. You will then get the option to format the new partition. Format it as NTFS. You can then install XP on that partition. Once you get XP loaded, the first thing to do is get all updates for XP, including SP2, if you so desire. The next thing you do is install all drivers for you video card and sound card. After that, install your broadband software, if it is really required. Edit: If you have to download your updates for XP, install your broadband software, prior to trying to update XP.
awesome...thanks guys ur assistance has been greatly appreciated... one last question...how much space does as XP installation usually take.. i have a 80g h/drive and it says installation took up between 6-7g of that.....i'm thinking when i re-installed xp it may have kept previous files from the previous installation because i don't rememebr it taking up that much room... i'm guessing it too be too much so partitioning will take care of that right????
[bold]Here's a great site to answer your questions about XP re-install[/bold] [bold]http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm[/bold]
stevatz: where are you finding on your compie the size of your XP install? an 80 gig drive only shows up as about 74 gigs in Windows, as Windows counts a gig as 1024 MB and the drive manufacturers count a gig as 1000 MB. at least, that's what i've been told.
auslander i was just going off the properties off my c drive... basically what happened was i installed windows again on my pc but i did it from windows and it installed ontop of my previous version...hence the reason why i wrote about the 6-7 gigs of space used (ie being windows installation) it doubled up....but all is good now...sorry if my terminology wasn't right.....
I'd make one addition to the reinstall. Make sure you have the correct NIC drivers available. The XP setup sometimes does not recognize the NIC. Once installed My Computer/Manage Devices and make sure all hardware is installed.
all good guys...just re-installed activated and am running fine again...thanks for all your assistance i really do appreciate it and would have never got through it without you...cheers
