Uninstall and Reinstall Win XP Home

erlalx · #1 08-10-2006, 02:06 PM

I have Win XP Home with all current updates including SP 2. I want to completely uninstall it, format HD and reinstall it. I have the disk, product key, ect. I placed disk into CD drive and it says, I have a newer version already. Guess that means SP 2. What is the proper way to wipe everything off HD and reinstall? I dont want to save anything on HD. This was a clean install from Win 98 se about 3 years ago.

tones_ie · #2 08-10-2006, 02:51 PM

Hopefully u have a bootable XP cd...

Insert cd....reboot PC....

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Watch the monitor for the message that the CD has been auto-detected, followed by the “Press any key to boot CD” message... just hit the spacebar or any other key that’s convenient within the five second time span the message will be displayed.
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Files will start to load from the CD to begin the installation. Eventually you’ll be asked if you want to install Windows XP. No need to type an essay here on why you’ve made the decision to do the installation. Just hit Enter.
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Next is the End User License Agreement or EULA which must be accepted to continue installation. Press F8 to accept, F3 to bail out now. You can read the EULA if you want, but it adds two days to the installation time.
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The next screen displays the available partitions where XP can be installed. Select the one you want and tap that Enter key again to move on to the screen where you select a file system.
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It’s time for that important decision. FAT32 versus NTFS. The preferred choice is NTFS. It allows security features and stability that aren’t possible with FAT32. Apply the knowledge you gained during the preparation phase at this point. Make your choice of formatting options and press the F key to start the process. Once the format process completes the installation will continue.

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If you are installing from a full version Windows XP CD the installation continues without intervention. If you’re using an upgrade version CD this is where Microsoft confirms your eligibility by requesting the media that allows you to use the upgrade version. Insert your media in the drive, let the verification complete and reinsert the XP CD when prompted.
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Setup continues and eventually the computer will reboot. Watch the onscreen prompts but do not press a key when the “Press any key to boot CD” message appears.
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Installation will continue, prompting you from time to time to supply some additional setup information. Feed the prompts with appropriate responses and eventually another reboot will occur, this time bringing you back into Windows XP, depositing you at the Windows Activation screen.
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You can either activate your copy of XP now or delay the activation for up to 30 days and suffer the periodic activation reminders. I suggest you activate now and register at the same time. It’s really painless. In any case, activation is required at some point or after 30 days you’ll be denied access to the desktop. Registration is entirely optional.
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The last step is to enter a username and watch the XP desktop appear, ready for use.

thanks to theeldergeek for original post

erlalx · #3 08-10-2006, 04:03 PM

I have the original Win XP Upgrade CD that came with the program. Do I need something else? If so, how do I get one.

tones_ie · #4 08-10-2006, 04:22 PM

not sure...ull know when u try it if the cd is bootable... ie. ull get that option to boot form cd or hard drive....if u dont get that option make sure ure system is Set it to boot from CD before hard drive in the boot sequence...

ANZAC_ELITE · #5 08-10-2006, 10:46 PM

as posted above, set the cd rom to first boot device in the bios, insert your disk, reboot, “Press any key to boot from the CD” when prompted, (watch closely for this prompt as it can easily be missed), follow the steps in tones post, until you get to the partition options, this is where I will differ with tones post slightly, delete your os partition (C: by default) then create a new partition, (that will totally wipe the drive whereas tones method will only install windows over your old copy, which you state you do not wish to do and is why you are getting the "later version" error message) then format it to NTFS etc etc etc as per the rest of tones post.

EDIT

Quote:

Originally Posted by erlalx

I have the original Win XP Upgrade CD that came with the program. Do I need something else? If so, how do I get one.

You will need your 98 disk or any windows disk other than 95 to insert during the install as shown in tones post, the media referred to in the below quote is your 98 disk (or as stated any windows disk except 95) XP install needs to "see" the previous OS disk to confirm your eligibilty to use the upgrade disk, you do not need a cd key, just the disk.

Quote:

If you’re using an upgrade version CD this is where Microsoft confirms your eligibility by requesting the media that allows you to use the upgrade version. Insert your media in the drive, let the verification complete and reinsert the XP CD when prompted......

When the installation is finished go back to your bios and set the hdd with windows on it back to first boot device.

erlalx · #6 08-11-2006, 04:52 AM

Maybe I better not uninstall XP as I stated above. I think a better solution, if it can be done is to Uninstall IE 6 along with Outlook Express 6, and then Reinstall both. Can that be done? If so, please step-by-step tips. Problem is, my OE .dbx files have been moved from C:\ Documents and Settings\ ect.,they are in a Store Folder on my desktop, which I have to leave on desktop in order for OE to show my folders and email. Long story as to how this happened, but I was following someones tip to combine my wireless notebook and desktop OE accounts.

erlalx · #7 08-11-2006, 11:18 AM

I do have my Win 98 SE cd. How do I get into bios to reset to boot from the XP CD?

tones_ie · #8 08-11-2006, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Maybe I better not uninstall XP as I stated above. I think a better solution, if it can be done is to Uninstall IE 6 along with Outlook Express 6, and then Reinstall both. Can that be done? If so, please step-by-step tips. Problem is, my OE .dbx files have been moved from C:\ Documents and Settings\ ect.,they are in a Store Folder on my desktop, which I have to leave on desktop in order for OE to show my folders and email. Long story as to how this happened, but I was following someones tip to combine my wireless notebook and desktop OE accounts.

To remove OE and IE go here...
Start > Control Panel > Add and Remove Programs > On the left click Add and Remove Windows Components and uncheck the ones u want uninstalled......
Reboot PC and do the same agaon except recheck mark them.....

Im unsure if this will fix ure prob though....

Quote:

I do have my Win 98 SE cd. How do I get into bios to reset to boot from the XP CD?

You may see a reference to "setup" when you turn your computer on. That's your opportunity to get into the BIOS. It usually requires the push of a function key, such as F10, to get access to it. That "F" key varies between computers. Sometimes it's the ESC key or DEL key.

If you cant figure it our post the make of ure pc and we should be able to get the specific keys that it uses...

Dont foregt to back up everything you want to save first

Documents/fotos/bookmarks/login passes.........

erlalx · #9 08-11-2006, 11:36 AM

My computer is a DELL Dimension XPS T700r. I may go ahead and remove XP and do a complete clean reinstall since this thing is really slowing down in it's old age.

tones_ie · #10 08-11-2006, 11:43 AM

Should be F1 or F2 or DEL buttons for that....

try either of those as the pc reboots....