What should be done before I format my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP Pro?
458547
Make sure you have the install disks and registration numbers for any software you need to re-install.  If you don't, or even if you do, download current installers.\n\nMake sure you have the install disks for any special hardware you have installed.\n\nBackup your data and installers twice (i.e., on two separate CDs).  Go to another computer and make sure both CDs are readable and correct.\n\nMake sure you backup data from applications that DON'T store their data in files in My Documents.\n\nUnless you know how to recreate them, check and write down your Internet settings.\n\nMentally go through the re-installation process, particularly up to the point where Internet connectivity is restored.  For example, do you have a wireless card that needs a driver?\n\nAs soon as you have Internet connectivity, connect to Windows Update and reinstall updates.\n\nThis would be a good time to consider switching to the Firefox browser.
942538
When installing XP Pro it should give you the option of upgrading. When it does this all files are left intact. I would definitely suggest you save any files you want to cd or dvd before hand. If this is for a desktop pc you could use a new harddrive for XP Pro and use the other drive as a second drive for storage of your files and then just clean it out of all the other stuff you dont need.
416195
Assuming the system has windows Xp on it.\n\nDo you have a branded computer?\n\nI would advise you to contact the dealer for the reinstallation.\n\nYou need to back up the data on the hard drive before you reformat and install windows xp.\n\nMake sure you have the disks of all the other necessary software you may require after the reinstallation.\n\n\nDisconnect all the external devices like an external CD writer, Zip drive (internal also), USB Memory Key, printer, scanner or card readers that may be connected to the system before proceeding with the reinstall procedure.\n\nFirst the system has to be booted through the Windows Xp CD \n\nTo boot from the CD:\n\nEnter the BIOS of the system and change the order of devices used by the system to boot from the CD Drive.\n\nAfter the system boots from the xp disk, follow the onscreen steps to perform the reinstallation.\n\nAfter the reinstallation of the operating system, install the drivers of all the components.\n\nUpdate the system after reinstallation.\n\nI would still advise, if its a branded computer pls refer to its user manual or contact the dealer.
77671
You don't have to reformat!  Just go to the Start button, then click on it, then click on Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, then System Restore.  Then try "going back" one at a time until you find one that's far enough back before you made whichever screw-up you made, and you'll be good to go.  That's all assuming you have Windows XP.
491672
If you want to start over then just reformat the drive and reinstall Win XP
460886
Reinstall windows xp is one way.
20509
To wipe all data and make sure nothing can be retrieved, you will have to format the drive several times - I believe its seven times if you want to be absolutely certain that its wiped clean, and that no one can retrieve any data from the drive.\n\nHave a look for hard drive erasers on download.com or tucows.com.\n\nIf you wish to just reformat and reinstall, lets assume its Windows XP that you are reinstalling since you didn't say:\n\n1. Put Windows XP into your CD-ROM, reboot your machine.\n\nIf your machine doesn't boot from the CD-ROM drive, you need to change some settings in BIOS.  Reset the machine again, tap DELETE or F1 to get into your BIOS setup.  Change your boot priority to include your CD-ROM drive before the hard disk.  Save and reboot machine into Windows XP CD-ROM.\n\n\n2. When the installation disk finishes booting, follow the instructions from there to reformat your hard disk and reinstall windows.
337367
1. Install again from CD\n2. In Windows XP exist system utility named as system restore. in This programm try restore system before uninstall.
22525
I'm guessing it was the Corporate Edition of XP Pro. Was this as an upgrade on top of the existing XP Pro?  Not sure why anyone would do that? I would save all of your data to another disk or CD then start over.
871064
formatt the whole thing and reinstall windows
603951
First of all restart you system and change your BIOS boot order.  Ensure that your CD or DVD is listed before the hard drive.\n\nBefore you reboot from this ensure the Windows XP CD is in the drive.  Once you reboot the CD should start through the installation.  Here you will be given the chance to select which partition to install windows on.  You can then delete the existing partitions and recreate them.  This will actually cause the reformatting of the HD.
144273
Restart the system, keep hitting the F8 key until you get into the menu, at the menu select "Use last known good configuration"\n\nIf that works then bingo, if not then if you can get into windows at all then go to start--> run and type ( or if you are lazy copy and paste this command )\n\nsfc /scannow\n\nMake sure to have the xp disc or the recovery disc handy.\n\nIf that does not work then back up all of your data and do a clean install.\n\nHow to do a repair install :\n\nhttp://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm\n\nHow to do a clean install :\n\nhttp://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html\n\nHope this helps.
334903
My suggestion - if you're comfortable doing it - is to back up every important file you've got to a thumb drive, CD or whatever. Reformat your drive and do a clean install of Windows XP.\n\nI believe you get much more benefit from a clean start with a nice fresh defragmented hard drive\n\nMake sure:\n1. you know what you're doing\n2. your version of XP allows a new instal & isn't simply an upgrade\n3.  you've got the Windows 2000 boot disks http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q197063/\n4. you immediately install your antivirus after you install Win XP and before you reconnect to the internet\n5. you download all the latest Win XP patches and service as soon as you connect to the internet\n\nGood luck
355444
Do you have a branded computer?\n\nI would advise you to contact the dealer for the reinstallation.\n\nYou need to back up the data on the hard drive before you reformat and install windows xp.\n\nMake sure you have the disks of all the other necessary software you may require after the reinstallation.\n\n\nDisconnect all the external devices like an external CD writer, Zip drive (internal also), USB Memory Key, printer, scanner or card readers that may be connected to the system before proceeding with the reinstall procedure.\n\nFirst the system has to be booted through the Windows Xp CD \n\nTo boot from the CD:\n\nEnter the BIOS of the system and change the order of devices used by the system to boot from the CD Drive.\n\nAfter the system boots from the xp disk, follow the onscreen steps to perform the reinstallation.\n\nAfter the reinstallation of the operating system, install the drivers of all the components.\n\nUpdate the system after reinstallation.\n\nI would still advise, if its a branded computer pls refer to its user manual or contact the dealer.\n\nUjjU
1066196
Do yourself a favor and buy a licensed copy of XP.  \n\nAnd when you get it, reinstall Windows doing a "clean" install.  You'll be surprised how much of a difference that will make.  Look into making backups onto DVD or a second hard drive as well.  Once you do a clean install and reinstall all the apps you use the most, make a backup right away.  That way you'll have a quick restore disc you can go back to anytime you have problems down the road.
908180
Yes is XP pro you just right click on your shared HDD, if you dont know how to do this follow the guys instructions above.\n\nRight click on the shared hdd the selct permisisions EASY\n\nIf u dont have xp pro then you have to boot up in safe mode (press f2 at startup)\n\nHope this helps any problems email me!
824876
Have you got an XP cd? Boot from this and do a repair installation. It will check for missing files and replace them