Starting from scratch!

[thestallion3000]

I don't know where I should really post this but this seemed the most appropriate place. I have a two year old computer running on Windows XP and I want to wipe it of everything and then put the XP back on it again. I have my Windows XP CD but I don't really know what to do. I have been told to insert the CD and it will then allow me to partition my hard drive. Any help on what to do would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Adam

[richh0323]

Instructions from Microsoft, you may have to change the BIOS settings to boot from CD, if it won't boot with CD in drive. Perform a clean install of Windows XP A clean installation refers to removing all data from your hard disk by repartitioning and reformatting your hard disk and reinstalling the operating system and programs to an empty (clean) hard disk. You should back up all important information before you perform a clean installation of Windows XP. For additional information about important things to consider before you partition and format you hard disk and how to partition and format your hard disk by using the Windows XP Setup program, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 313348 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348/ How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP After you have backed up all your important information, follow these steps to install Windows XP:1. Start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM. To do this, insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD drive or DVD drive, and then restart your computer. 2. When you see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press any key to start the computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM. 3. At the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to start Windows XP Setup. 4. Read the End-User License Agreement, and then press F8. 5. Follow the instructions on the screen to select and format a partition where you want to install Windows XP. 6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Windows XP Setup.