Not yet registered? Create a OverBlog!

Create my blog
Home » High-tech » Content on demand » Computers »

How to reformat Windows XP for beginners

How to reformat Windows XP for beginners

Shaun Garrod Shaun Garrod

For whatever reason, there are times that you need to reformat your PC and reinstall Windows XP. There reasons for this could be manifold, such as having a computer which is too infected with viruses to be cleaned or when you've just installed a new hard drive for instance. This can be a daunting prospect for some people, but here I shall guide you through the process.

Things you will need

When you need to format your computer, reinstalling XP requires two essential things. Without them then we can't continue. These are: - A Windows XP CD You should have received one of these with your computer. If you don't have one or this is the first time you are installing Windows XP, these can still be purchased. Microsoft sell them directly and so do some computer hardware shops. The cheapest option however is to buy online.
- A valid Windows XP license key This will either be on the CD's packaging or on computers that already came with Windows XP installed, usually on the back of the PC's case.

Installing Windows XP

Installation process -With your PC on, place the CD into the drive then shut down your computer. -Start up your computer. You need to get the PC to boot from the CD. Settings for this vary from machine to machine but instructions on how to do so will be found in the user manual. -A screen will appear asking you to press any key to boot from the CD. Press any key. -You will soon be presented with a Welcome to Setup page. Press F8 to continue. -You'll be asked if you want to repair your existing Windows XP installation. Press ESC to bypass the repair and install a fresh copy. -You now need to choose which partition you are going to install Windows XP on. Using the arrow keys, choose the one that had the original copy of Windows XP on it. Press D to delete it then L to confirm. Press Enter to create a new partition. -Choose this newly created partition as the one to install Windows XP on. Format the drive as NTFS (the will be a quick option or a thorough, quick is usually fine). -The installation process will now begin. Now and again, it will ask you to enter certain details (such as your license key) and it may restart several times. During these restarts if you get the message asking you to press any key to boot from the CD, do not press anything. And that's it! Typically it will take between 30 minutes to over an hour to reinstall Windows XP.

Same category articles Computers

A beginner's guide to PC repair

A beginner's guide to pc repair

Learning how to fix computers is an extremely useful skill that will not only save you time but also money. this article will look at some of the tools that you need, and the basic diagnostics and fault-finding strategies. whether you are having problems with hardware or software, this article will point you in the right direction to repair your computer.
More from category » Computers
A guide to securing a wireless network

A guide to securing a wireless network

The growing popularity and availability of wireless access to the internet has made having secure networks more important than ever before and yet conversely, because of the plug and play type set-up of wi-fi networks, wi-fi security is often overlooked. below is a guide to some of the security options available.
More from category » Computers
What are the differences between Flat files and databases?

What are the differences between flat files and databases?

Data storage is an intrinsic part of the internet but how is that data stored? what is a flat file? how does a flat file compare to a database? indeed, what options are there when it comes to data storage and what are the benefits of the options. this article attempts to clear up some of the mud in the water and explain what the different types are.
More from category » Computers