This tutorial is created by me only. I have really worked hard on this post as I do in every other post so I have one request. Please show your appreciation by not stealing this post and do not copying it as is without giving me the credit for it. I would really appreciate it. Thank You!
Before you start this procedure.
- Make sure to back up your data: First, make sure there is absolutely NOTHING you cannot afford to lose on the drive you're going to install Windows on (let's say the C: drive.)
- Make sure your network cable is unplugged from the wall (to avoid getting viruses from your local area network).
- You have a Windows XP installation CD with a valid Product Key.
- Hardware driver discs that shipped with the PC and any components you added on (Optional, but VERY strongly recommended
- Time & Patience (you need to be calm and give the setup a little time)
Step 2: The computer will prompt you to press any key to boot from the CD. Press a key on the keyboard to start the Windows Setup.
The computer will load the setup files automatically. This may take few minutes.
Next you will prepare your hard drive for the installation of Windows. you will see the list of hard drives and its partitions.
Step 3: Delete the partition prefix C: To do this select the partition and press the button D.
Step 4: Steup will warn you that this is a system partition. Press Enter
Step 5: To complete the removal of the partition, Press L when you see the screen below.
Step 6: You will return to the partition list. There should be unpartitioned space item on the list. highlight the unpartitioned space and press Enter.
Step 7: You will be asked to select the format of partition you wan to use for your hard drive. I recommend to select NTFS (Quick). Press Enter to continue.
Setup will format the drive according to the preferences chosen in the previous option. This may take few minutes. After this process is done your hard drive will be completely empty.
Now windows setup will copy the files from the CD that will be needed to install Windows XP. This will take several minutes so please be patient.
After the files have been copied, Windows setup will restart your computer. Don’t remove the Windows XP setup CD, and don’t press a key when prompted (we already did that).
Step 8: Setup will ask for your name or the company name. Type in your name.
Step 9: At the next screen, you will be prompted to enter that oh-so-important CD-key, which is located on the back of the sleeve or it should be packed with the license agreement. Enter it carefully (if you make a typo it will not work, but you can return and correct it). The letters will automatically be capitalized.
Step 10: Setup will ask for you to assign Computer name. Please type that in.
Step 11: Setup will ask for current day and time. Make sure you check the date and time and see if its correct or not and then click next. Setup will continue to install windows setup. This may take good bit of time so be patient.
Once setup has installed Windows it will take you to a welcome screen.
Step 12: You will be given option to help protect the pc by turning on the automatic update. I recommend you choose Help protect my pc by turning on Automatic Update now.(This option can be changed later on).
Step 13: Windows will ask you to register Windows XP. Choose No, not at this time
Step 14: Window will now make an attempt to connect to the internet. Click the little skip button at the bottom right.
Step 15: Setup will ask you to type the name of the person using this computer. Fill in the name of the person using this computer that you want and click next.
Finaly you will be flashed with a Thank You! screen. Click Next and your all done for the formatting and reinstalling part!
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Windows. You are now one-step above every person in society that has not installed Windows. You can pat yourself at the back for being so patient throughout the installation. You did it!
You can also watch this same procedure on YouTube. I have created the video just to make it easier for everyone to learn.
Thank you! This made it very easy to reformat the 40GB hard drive and reinstall XP. The computer is now working fine again and is used by senior citizens who do not have computers of their own but enjoy using it at a local Senior Center.
ReplyDeleteSusan Miller
Susan Miller,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment. I am glad I could help you while you were helping the senior citizens. :)
It helped me alot very much thanks for this description!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome sir!
DeleteSohail,
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to put these instructions together; they made me realize that it's no big deal to wipe my hard drive and reinstall Windows. Your instructions are simple and clear!
..........Danny
danny is right, good instruction thnx
ReplyDeleteThank you for clear instructions, worked perfectly..... :-)
ReplyDeleteYou were missing a few steps getting to the partition selection, but i figured out what they were, but over all very helpful
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for this information. it helped me to reformat my computer.
ReplyDeletefrom a 87yr old ww2 vet hope i can do it tnx tnx
ReplyDeleteI hope you were able to do it!
Deletethank u verrryyyyyyy much , really it will help me
ReplyDeleteI do the same as you show in the above steps but i receive an error message "Stop:0 x 0000007 " please help....!
ReplyDeletebut in pakistan fat quick is almost use there in bt thanx foe helping people
ReplyDeleteFor your "Stop:0 x 0000007" problem please check out the links below:
ReplyDeletehttp://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-Systems-e-g-Windows-8-and-Software/Installing-XP-STOP-0x0000007B-0xF78D2524-0xC0000034/td-p/601543
and
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/findbyerrormessage/a/stop0x00000007.htm
yes, FAT quick is used in Pakistan but people should change it to NTSF here is why:
ReplyDeleteFAT(File Allocation Table) is a file system used by MS-DOS and other Windows Operating System. It's a system in which Windows stores information about each file in the File Allocation Table, so that it can retrieve later.
NTFS is an advanced file system that provides performance, security, reliability, and advanced features that are not found in any version of FAT.
The Benefits of NTFS:
Support for large hard drives
Support for large file sizes
Simple management of single disk partitions
Improved performance
Other Features of NTFS:
Security and access control
Distributed link tracking
Hard links for files
Symbolic links for directories
More efficient context indexing
File compression
File encryption
Volume shadow copy backup
Flexible metadata support for attributes, properties, and streams
Ability to mount a local drive to a folder on an NTFS volume
Hi there !
ReplyDeleteI'm about to do this, I've backed up all my files and any software is old so I would just buy/download new. I now have a new Macbook so this laptop will just be a spare computer.
I just have one question; my laptop has the recovery disk as a partition so I don't have a seperate disk. Will it work in the same way ? Or is there another way of doing it ?
Thanks for your help, you're doing a great job ! :D
@neil wilkinson
ReplyDeleteHello,
In the above tutorial my DELL laptop came with the recovery formatted in the same disk just like you described. I just deleted it to use the space because I realized that I had never used the recovery partition ever. But in your case It should work the same way. When you get to step 3 of the tutorial you will see the recovery disk. Just make sure not to touch it (Not to format it) so that it can be used for recovery when required once Windows is installed. I hope that helps. Good Luck!
Thanks for the quick reply, that's very helpful !
ReplyDeleteWhat should I do at step 1 as I don't have a windows xp cd ? At the moment when I restart I'm getting two options: "press esc to change boot order, press F10 enter setup". Pressing neither of these brings up the windows setup page. Presssing F10 brings up PhoenixBIOS setup utility.
Also I'm just wondering about the re-installation of windows as I don't have a seperate disk, will that be re-loaded from the recovery disk ? Or will I have to buy it from the ms site ? If so would I be able to put a more recent version on such as windows 7 ?
Thanks again !
Hello again ! Another little question for you: If I right click on the hard drive in "my computer" there's an option to format. Does this do the same thing and wouldn't it be a simpler option ?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this would be far too simple but I'm curious .... Thanks. :)
@neil wilkinson,
ReplyDeleteThe tutorial posted above is for formatting your hard drive partition and reinstalling Windows XP using the Windows XP installation CD. Without the CD you will not be able to install windows on your pc.
As far as the recovery partition goes there are two kinds of recovery partition.
Many newer computers come with a built-in restore process saved to a second partition on the hard drive. This can usually be accesses by pressing a key during the boot process. For Example: Pressing F10 during boot on HP computers will bring you to a restore menu. Check your computers manual or online to see if you have this option. Since you already pressed the F10 and it only showed you the PhoenixBIOS setup utility so I am going to guess that you don't have the newer computer which comes with this utility.(http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=bph07145#N1129)
The other recovery partition which comes with the laptop can only restore your computer to an earlier time.
If you don't have a Windows XP CD and you are thinking of buying one and wondering if you can upgrade to the newer Windows 7 then you have to download Windows 7 Upgrage Advisor which is a small software available from Windows website for free (http://windows.microsoft.com/is-is/windows/downloads/upgrade-advisor) This utility scans your PC for potential issues with your hardware, devices, and installed programs, and recommends what to do before you upgrade.
Last but not least the option to reformat the hard drive by following: (In My Computer, right-click the drive, select format and hit "Format.") This will not work if the hard drive you are trying to wipe is your only hard drive or your main hard drive in which your current Windows XP is installed. This option only wipes external hard drives and partitions of the hard drive from all the data that is present in the drive. It doe not install a fresh Windows Xp.
I hope that helped. Sorry for late reply as I was a bit busy on other project.
My computer restarts after step 11.... and goes back 2 step 1 ...the installing stage ..
ReplyDeleteis dere nyhthing i can do??
i accidently used the repair option n now i cant access my startup
ReplyDeletethnq for this material...
ReplyDeleteright at step 1 it says loading windows files but then gives the following error:
ReplyDeletea problem has been detected and windows has shut down to prevent damage to your computer. If this is th first time you've seen this stop error screen restart your computer. if this screen appears again follow these steps:
check for viruses on you computer. remove newly installd hard drives or hard drive controllers. check your hard drive to make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run chkdsk/F to checkhard drive corruption, and then restart your computer."
so I checked drivers....previously someone partioned the hard drive because first one was not working well. I decdied to format HD to start over. Now booting from the original CD...i get this error screen. Any ideas??
csbravo
fine
ReplyDeleteTHANKS , it is the world,s best blog for reinstalling a window
ReplyDeletethank you.. so much.. sir
ReplyDeleteI put in the start up disk and it keeps reaping disk boot failure, insert system disk and press enter. What do i do?
ReplyDeletethats it.i,m done now
ReplyDeleteThank you very much I hv been strugling to format my pc ur guide helps m alot
ReplyDelete@Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteWhen starting the computer system, a 'disk boot failure - insert system disk' error can occur for several reasons, including either hardware or software changes. It may also occur if there is a CD or a diskette in the drive while starting the computer. An incorrect boot sequence, a newly installed hard drive, an unplugged hard drive or a damaged disk may result in the the disk boot failure insert system disk error.
f you see the error message "DISK BOOT FAILURE INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER", "No system disk", it means the computer could not find the operating system and therefore could not boot.
Below are some possible causes and solutions:
A disc is stuck in the drive
Check to see if this is the case - if so, remove the disc(s) and try again
The boot sequence is incorrect
Enter the BIOS setup of your computer and edit the boot sequence so that the computer starts primarily on drive C.
A new hard drive was installed
If a new hard drive has been installed, this message is quite normal. Insert the installation CD for the operating system you wish to use and then restart the machine, having made sure the CD-ROM is defined in the BIOS setup as first in the boot sequence.
The hard drive is unplugged
Open the system unit and check the power cable of the hard drive is properly connected.
Corrupted system files
It may be that some system files needed to boot the computer have been deleted or damaged or that the boot sector of the disc is damaged.
To find out if this is the case, start the computer with a system disk or CD-ROM installation of your operating system (via the Recovery Console), and type "Dir C:" to check if the contents of the C drive are accessible. If they are accessible, the problem comes from missing or damaged files and you need to run the command:
fdisk /mbr
sys c:
Damaged disk
If the hard disk or a partition is damaged:
If it is detected in the BIOS setup, there is a chance that it can be recovered
If so, try reinstalling the system through the installation CD, in order to reformat or recover the partition using a utility
I did as you said but i wasnt asked for a product key. When i installed xp succesley i was given a screen saying i have 30days to activate it. Wot do i do. Thanks
ReplyDeletethank u...
ReplyDeleteThank you ..it really helped me .....
ReplyDeletewas stuck with an used computer ..not able to log in ...
i format my windows xp and now my pc hase 4 bit plzz help
ReplyDeleteyou have done a very good job friend .
ReplyDeletegetting an error
ReplyDelete"File usbehci.sys caused an unexpected error (32768) at line 5964 in d:\xpsprtm\base\boot\setup\setup.c."
pls help me out to resolve this problem
how many time in installation process to restart the computer And when
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: When it asks for the product key enter the key that was given to you when you bought the XP cd. The key should be at the back of the cd or the cd case.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: "File usbehci.sys caused an unexpected error (32768) at line 5964" sounds like a CD Drive error. Try the same xp cd on another computer to eliminate the cd and that should narrow it down to the cd drive.
@Anonymous: Only once the installation will restart your computer and that is going to be in step 7 mentioned above.
ReplyDeleteI will try it now.. hope it could help me :).. thanks anyway
ReplyDeleteThe step after 2, for me, asked to set up windows even though the HDD already had stuff on it. It mentioned nothing of the partition/clearing stuff.
ReplyDeleteAfter I selected the top option it then asked me to do the partition stuff.
i have P4 ..suddenly my operating system is not working...it works for 5second and afterward it shows no signal..after safe mode,windows normally aapears on the screen..after trying several time ..same thing happens again agin
ReplyDeleteplease help
hi
ReplyDeletehi
ReplyDeleteGreat Buddy God Bless you.......
ReplyDeleteThank you and God bless you too!
DeleteGreat Buddy God Bless you..................
ReplyDeletehello there,,after i format cpu follow ins. above..why my mouse no function??
ReplyDeletei also try use new mouse it still same..cant use it?
reply at my email..coz easy for me check
fairus.asri@gmail.com
I was going to buy a new computer until i saw this blog. Thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, does this method works on win7?
Thanks! Can't believe I'm installing Win XP Pro 64-bit on my old Dell Latitude E6410 a week before Windows retires it. But hey, I have a week to get SP3! I had some scary moments when it kept failing with a hard drive problem or virus message. AFter running chkdsk and still failing, played around the STATA settings in BIOS and it worked!
ReplyDeletevery nice and very helpful. really appreciate you.
ReplyDeleteThank U man!!!...You have made windows installation very easy...It is really helpful
ReplyDeleteThank you! I followed you instructions and did the installation perfectly! ^_^
ReplyDeleteI am glad I was able help Anastasia!
Deleteis it possible to do this without the installation disk and only the product key?
ReplyDeletethank u
ReplyDeletebut i have a sugession, after deleting partition we have to create a new partition
ReplyDeleteinteresting
ReplyDeleteFoward,
ReplyDeleteThanks for good teaching. This is my first time to do this. May I ask for your permition to copy this so that I use it the time I am ready to do it at home.
Thanks a ton
ReplyDeletehi All
ReplyDeletei have Lenovo G560 it's says that:
Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer’s hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure that the disk’s controller is enabled in the computer’s BIOS menu.
Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This may fail soon. If other hard disk are available, install windows to another location.
i try all types of steps
diskpart
list disk
sel disk
clean
partition
format
avctive
exit
but it's now allow me please assist me.
Thanks so much! you made my day. This is the best New Year gift I got today 01/01/2015
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteI really really want to thank you ever so much for this website. I had been trying to install Windows XP for almost 30 hour. As you can tell, I'm not to savvy on installing, but how you explained everything, I had it installed in just 1 hour. Thanks again, Terri
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Terri!
DeleteNow, can you help me on how to burn from one DVD to another? I need to copy from one CD to DVD. I' m pulling my hair out. I appreciate any help you can give me. Terri
ReplyDeleteThank you for your help, it was pretty easy to follow
ReplyDeleteI tried to be as detailed as possible. You're welcome!
DeleteThanks for you help, I was able to easily follow your instructions
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteSimple & easy system to done
ReplyDeletemy pc has windows xp and every startup time it shows rundll32.exe error so i have to format my pc is that works?
ReplyDeletepls which software is good to drive it after installation
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteBut on doing all this step by step of your tutorial, it is asking for activation. What I am supposed to do?
Thanks for your help.
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome.
DeleteI have using win 7. Now want to setup wi xp but I can't do it. Software is blocked show in window. What can I do?
ReplyDeletethanks for posting
ReplyDelete