Reinstalling XP
 

I want to reinstall windows xp so that there is nothing on it and like brand new. But when it ask what partition I want it on I can't delete my old one because it says there are files needed on there to set up windows xp. so how can i totally reinstall xp?

Well, I would recommend something like a Windows 98 bootdisk with fdisk... or delpart if the current partition is NTFS.

You don't have to delete your partition. Just set it up on that partition and format it before you start to install.

You can pick up the bootdisks at http://music.tinfoil.net/bootdisks ... grab win98se.exe (I think that's the name). It has all the programs you need other than delpart.exe and that I am sure you can google, if you need it.

You can try this site http://support.microsoft.com/default...WebContent=1#3 for instructions on FDISK.

You will need to delete any previous partitions on there...

It really depends on how the current partition is formatted. (right click on the drive in My Copmuter, properties)

Just run the install again and then format the partition you want, no others needed.

But the important part is to boot from the CD. THEN you can delete the partition and create a new one....

To Do a complete job, Get the Ontrack Erasure and write zero's to the drive, then Boot from the CD!! Why you ask, well deleting a partition and formatting with Format C: does not wipe out the Master Boot Record, when you write zero's, you have a drive exactly as it came from the manufacturer!! If its a WD Drive then you can use WD Lifeguard Diagnostics to write zero's ( A lot Faster than Ontrack)> All other manufacturers use Ontrack with there own name on it, IE Seatools for Seagate!!

yeah i have a WD but how do i do it with the disk

I'd recommend boot from the XP cd, if you use a WD disk or 98 disk they don't support NTFS, so you will convert to FAT32 then back to NTFS.

Here is how I do a complete reinstall.

1. Using a boot disk, boot the computer and use FDISK to create/modify my partitions (at a minimum, XP should have a primary partition and one for your swap/page file).

2. Format each partition. I guess you could use an eraser program to set all the binary digits to 0, but I think this is rather overkill for the average person. I would only do this when I throw out a hard drive.

3. Remove boot disk and insert XP cd.

4. Boot to cd and run installation. Make sure to use NTFS as FAT32 is a waste of time.

That should just about do it.

I suggest skipping all that boot disk/whatever bullshit, and just booting off the CD. You don't have to worry about writing 0's, it'll work fine (and clean) if you allow XP's setup (running off the booted CD) to format the drive. Messing with fdisk and win98 bootdisks isn't really needed.

If you want to play with partitions, you can do it during the XP setup as well.

As for NTFS vs. FAT32, if you ever think you'll be going back to 98/ME(god forbid)/Switching to Linux for some reason, or you want to use the HD/Paritions in another machine that is using 98/ME/Linux, I'd use FAT32, as NTFS isn't supported in 98/ME, and badly supported in Linux.