Reinstalling Windows XP

[filthiestfis]

I really need help step by step instructions with reinstalling Windows. I have the disc but not the instructions! Should I install it on a partitioned space? When I get to this page it tells me I dont have enough unpartitioned space, but when I choose parttioned it doesnt recommend I install it there, do I need to delete it first? What happens afterwards?

[vehelpfulguy]

Do these help.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp _sg_clean.asp

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?article ID=1435

http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation _of_windows_xp.htm

[vehelpfulguy]

Explaining how to set up partitions on a hard disk is difficult as it is easier if you can see it. Anyway I will try.

Each partition on your hard disk relates to a drive letter.

So normally the first partition is called "C" and that is where you install Windows.

If you have a second partition then that will probably be "D" and so on.

If you have NOTHING you want on your hard drive then when you get the choice during the install delete all the partitions.

Then it will offer a question like "Create a partiton to install windows".

Select Yes and select all the hard drive. It may offer a number like 32567 (depending on the size of your hard drive). Select it all. This will create one "C" drive that fills your whole disk.

It may keep a small area back for itself with a size of 8. Thats OK.

You will then be asked if you want to FORMAT the drive. This wipes everything off it and checks the disk has no errors.

Choose to format the drive NTFS. Do not choose "Quick format". This may take 10 or 20 minutes depending on the size of your hard drive.

When this has finished the Windows install will continue.

It is fairly painless.

When you get the question about regions make sure you change it to UK (from US) in about 3 or 4 places. Make sure you set the keyboard as UK, and the UK keyboard as the default.

Let the Windows install run to the end.

A few times during the install it may reboot. You may get the message "do you want to boot from CD". You select NO (apart from the very first time of course when you start the install).

At the end remove the Windows CD, shut down the PC and start it again. It should boot from your new Windows install.

[stevie21]

In brief, as vehelpfulguy has said, if you don't have anything that you need to keep on your current hard drive, delete all partitions, format and reinstall.
If you understand his 2nd post clearly, I'd follow it to the letter :-)

[filthiestfis]

Thank you very much. I shall try this out when I get home tonight-thanks a lot!!!