How to reformat/install operating sys?

[Jess9]

Hi,

Thanks to some advice from you guys to fix a unrecognised video card (problem/error 10 in XP talk), I want to reformat/install XP prof. How do I do this?

I have created an Dos start up disk but don't know what to type etc! Most frustrating!

OR can the computer be started in XP from the CD, using GUI would probably be much easier?

Anyway suggestions/walkthrough would be appreciated.

Regards.

[Deviant]

There are a million ways to do it, but seeing as you want a GUI, then boot into xp, insert your xp disk, and it should autostart, then select the install xp, yada ya, serial number, yada ya, click yes several times, yada ya and it's done.

[whetu]

you want to format and start from scratch?

Ok, is your installation cd an upgrade or a full install version?

I will assume you have one drive/one partition

Upgrade version:
using your dos boot disk, run fdisk, enable large disk support etc delete the active partition and create a new one. exit and reboot.
Then use format c: /q to do a quick format of the drive.

Assuming your computer is reasonably new, you can go into your bios and change the primary/first boot device to your cdrom. It'll be under a setting called boot order or similar. Change it to [cdrom, c, a] or however it's laid out, save and reboot.

Biff in your first OS disc before/just after you reboot. Your first OS (95, 98, whatever) should then load up its installer straight off the cdrom. Follow the wizard and install a compact version. On first boot, once its done all its driver installs biff in your xp update disc and go for gold, follow the wizard.

Full Install:
Assuming your computer is reasonably new, you can go into your bios and change the primary/first boot device to your cdrom. It'll be under a setting called boot order or similar. Change it to [cdrom, c, a] or however it's laid out, save and reboot.

Biff in the xp disc before/just after you reboot and let the system post. It will then boot the install process off the cdrom. When you choose your install partition, select to delete the existing partition, then create a partition in unused space. Use NTFS quick format. After you have done this, follow the wizard through as per norm.

If you require further clarification, or need help with anything else, you know where we are :D

good luck

[Ragnor]

Don't forget to back up all the data you want to keep ie: pictures, mp3's, email, www favourites etc etc to CDR, another drive or a seperate partition BEFORE formatting.. ;)