clean install windows xp?

6 thoughts on “clean install windows xp?”

1. Benzart says:

   November 6, 2009 at 6:57 pm

   During the first part of the install process when it asks youifn you want to format the drive first, say yes. This will remove all your data on that drive and should give you a "Clean" install.

   Another way to do this is to use a Win 95 boot diskette and when you boot the computer you will be taken to " a:/ " .
   Just type exactly format c:\ then press enter. There will be a warning that you will lose all data and do you wish to continue y/n? press the "Y" key and enter and it will begin and take quite awhile depending on the size of your disc. Again this will erase
   ALL the data on the C drive . Then just install the Windows program again only this time it will be a "Clean"install!

   I Hope this helps

2. Dunbar Pappy says:

   November 6, 2009 at 6:57 pm

   BEFORE you do anything, back up your drivers to a CD!!
   It gets harder and harder to find them, and many places charge to get them.
   I use WINdrivers; excellent & free, from pc world here:
   http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fi…
   Use the ‘back up all drivers’ for the first BU; that way you have them all.
   Then proceed with the formatted install or repair as needed.

3. golfer2 says:

   November 6, 2009 at 6:57 pm

   You’re choosing to repair instead of reinstall.Don’t choose R anytime during the process and it will be ok,choose the other option always.

   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941

4. MKultra says:

   November 6, 2009 at 6:57 pm

   You likely just installed XP over your existing XP rather than reformatting (wiping) the partition first.

   If your ‘old junk’ is on a separate disk or partition it won’t have been touched by replacing Windows files on the operating system partition.

5. Marvin says:

   November 6, 2009 at 6:57 pm

   Was it just an SP3 install disk?

   If it is the XP full install disk you should restart the computer and boot it from the XP cd.
   This will start an install process where at one point you are asked if you want to repair install an existing installation or install a new version. You could also use the options in the setup process to delete the partition and create a new partition for the new install.

6. Jamfo says:

   November 6, 2009 at 6:57 pm

   If you truly want to start clean, use a utility like Darik’s Boot and Nuke to completely and totally reformat your hard drive:

   http://www.dban.org/

   Be warned, this utility completely low-level formats your hard drive and nothing will remain on the drive when finished. You can then begin the clean install of XP Pro SP3 with NOTHING remaining on the hard drive.

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