My PC has been crashing and people tell me to just do a clean reboot of the OS but when I try I keep getting the message that the version on my PC is newer than the one on the CD. I know that I’ve downloaded updates, hence the version on the cd is old, but I don’t mind going back and updating it later. I just want to clean my system out and update it after i have installed XP. I have already saved the files I want to keep, so I dont mind the remaining clutter from being swiped clean.
Filed under: Clean Up Computer
sounds to me like you may need to buy a copy of xp
Recently, I reinstalled Windows XP on my computer. There are a number of guides available on the Internet, but I found Lifehacker.com’s article to be the most comprehensive and comprehensible. The link is:
"Geek to Live: How to format your hard drive and install Windows XP from scratch" — lifehacker.com (http://www.lifehacker.com/software/top/geek-to-live–how-to-format-your-hard-drive-and-install-windows-xp-from-scratch-157578.php)
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Today we’re going to go over how to format your hard drive and reinstall Windows XP from scratch to get back that shiny new operating system feeling untainted by years of wear, tear and added and removed programs.
Note for the tremulous: I cannot tell a lie; reinstalling an operating system is NOT a trivial task. There are several junctures where lots of things can go wrong that can affect the way your PC functions FOREVER. Further, this isn’t a task one can complete in just a few hours. There are lots of ways to fix PC problems before reinstalling Windows, a fresh install should be an absolute last resort. It took me three years – one which involved installing and uninstalling programs almost daily – to get to the point of reinstalling Windows. You have been warned.
Still with me? Good.
What you’ll need:
1. A Windows XP machine in dire need of a fresh start
(Without any crucial, un-backedup data on it)
2. A Windows XP installation CD with a valid Product Key
(Preferably the disc that shipped with the computer originally, in which case the Product Key won’t be obviously listed)
3. The CDs and serial numbers of all the software you need to install on your fresh "new" machine
4. Hardware driver discs that shipped with the PC and any components you added on
(Optional, but VERY strongly recommended)
5. Another ‘net-connected computer of any OS persuasion with a CD burner, thumb drive, or other removable disk
(Optional, but strongly recommended, for looking up stuff and downloading drivers in case of emergency)
6. One full day to get your PC fully functioning again.
Got all that? Good.
Let’s get started. …..[read the article for further instructions]
You can restore your PC to earlier time. Since you have Windows XP you can follow this steps:
A) Go to program select accessory
b) select system tools
C) select system restore
You have two options:
Check off restore my computer to an earlier time or create restore point. The first option have a calender where you can select the dates to go back. Once you select the date, let the system take over, it may take several minutes but it get the job done. You may have installed a soft ware that might not be compatible. The CD you have does not have the current updates that was released after you bought the computer. Try it works, you don’t need to reformat unless you need a complete over haul of your PC
format the c drive and boot from the cd rom.
you need to format the drive completly
put win xp cd in the drive close off the menu that opens . restart ur pc . boot up from win xp cd now from there ur have the option to install win xp without loss of date or drivers on ur pc. what ur see is 3 options 2 of format and 1 saying >>leave everything as it is << that is the one you enter on do not enter on the format options. then follow what is on screen this ur come to a part where it says what parth do you want windows to install type in
c:\windows
then hit on enter . then win xp will set up ur be ask for da product key put that in then win xp will install and set up when at desktop ur have actvaite win xp what you do is actvaite it by phone and microsoft will help you actvaite it then ur set for