How to reformat and reinstall Windows XP – Method #2

General

Need a copy of XP?

Get Windows XP Home SP2 or Windows XP Pro SP2.

If Method #1 for reformatting and reinstalling Windows XP does not work for you, try this instead:

Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, or insert the first Windows XP Setup boot disk into the floppy disk drive if you are starting from Setup boot disks, and then restart the computer.

NOTE: To start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM or from the Setup boot disk, your computer must be configured to start from the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive or the floppy disk drive.

In some cases, you may have to modify your computer’s BIOS settings to do this. (How to get into your computer’s BIOS).

(If you are starting from the Windows XP Setup boot disks, insert each of the additional disks when you are prompted, and then press ENTER to continue after inserting each disk.)

At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER to continue.

Press F8 to accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement.

If an existing Windows XP installation is detected, you are prompted to repair it. Press ESC (do not repair).

All existing partitions and unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard disk. Use the arrow keys to select the partition or
space where you want to create a new partition, and then press D to delete an existing partition or press C to create a new partition using unpartitioned space.

If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this process for each of the existing partitions that you want to use for the new partition.

When all the partitions are deleted, you can then select the resulting unpartitioned space and then press C to create the new partition.

Type the size (in megabytes, or MB) that you want to use for the new partition, and then press ENTER, or just press ENTER to create the partition using the maximum size.

If you want to install Windows XP, use the arrow keys to select the partition you want to install Windows XP on, and then press ENTER.

Select the format option that you want to use for the partition, and then press ENTER. The options are:

  • Format the partition by using the NTFS file system (Quick)
  • Format the partition by using the FAT file system (Quick)
  • Format the partition by using the NTFS file system
  • Format the partition by using the FAT file system

You may also see:

  • Leave the current file system intact (no changes)

Most people will want to choose: “Format the partition by using the NTFS file system”.

After Setup formats the partition, follow the on-screen instructions to continue Setup until Windows XP fully installs.