Re: How can I completely wipe my entire system and do a fresh install

From: Michael Stevens (mstevens_at_bogusmvps.org)
Date: 12/28/04


Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 11:46:55 -0800

Why is that easier?
It is an alternate method, but not easier.

1. Search for floppy image on web site.
2. Make floppy disk.
3. boot with floppy disk utility.
4. run utility to wipe hard drive.
5. reboot with XP CD.
6. Run setup.

As opposed to

1. Boot with XP CD.
2. Run setup.

Easier? 8-)

-- 
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
xpnews@bogusmichaelstevenstech.com
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
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"Alias" <aka@maskedandanonymous.com> wrote in message 
news:33dkteF3u43h4U1@individual.net...
>
> "dev" <noreply@noreply.com> wrote
>
> :
> : "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message
> : news:ejne4PQ7EHA.2572@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> : > 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
> : >
> :
> : Thankyou for that info, the bit I got stuck on last time was the bit 
> where
> : it asked you if you want to delete this or that partition,
> : I chose not to delete so I ended up with several instances of Windows..
>
> Here's an easier way:
>
> Find out what the brand name of your hard drive is.
>
> Go to the hard drive's manufacturer's web site and download the FLOPPY, 
> not
> CD, utilities to format and partition your hard drive.
>
> Once you have the floppy or floppies (some HDs have two floppies), stick 
> it
> in the floppy drive and  boot up.
>
> Follow the instructions after the HD program loads.
>
> Once you've formatted (a quick format should suffice) and partitioned your
> hard drive, go into the BIOS and set your CDROM as the first to boot.
>
> Put the XP CD in your CDROM.
>
> Reboot and install XP.
>
> Go into safe mode and do a clean up/chkdsk/defrag.
>
> Boot back into normal mode.
>
> Reboot into the BIOS and change your boot order back to the way it was.
>
> Go back to Normal Mode and install SP2 from a CD.
>
> Go into safe mode and do a clean up/chkdsk/defrag.
>
> Install your programs and go into safe mode and do a clean 
> up/chkdsk/defrag
> after each installation if big and after three or four if the programs are
> small.
>
> Install your devices like your printer, camera, etc.
>
> Enjoy.
> -- 
> Alias
>
> Use the Reply to Sender function of your news reader program to email me.
>
>
> :
> :
> :
>
> 


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