The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:
NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.
NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.
1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".
===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===>
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.
5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]
6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, make sure XP's Firewall is enabled:
==>
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxpsp2/Default.mspx
7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".
8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.
9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:
How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064
Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm
--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx
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:
| I have an oldish laptop installed with Windows XP professional.
| It is organised with a small C partition and a larger E partition. I get
| problems as the C partition is near to its full capacity.
| I wish to create a single C partition. What is the best way to achieve this?
| I would be quite happy to backup and clear all existing data, even to the
| extent of reformatting the hard disk and reinstalling the operating system.
| In fact I would prefer to do this as it would ensure that I get rid of all
| unwanted data some of which may well be left over from its original windows
| NT operating system.
| Suggestions would be appreciated.
| --
| Norman
