How to Reinstall Windows XP on your Hard Drive

Reinstalling Windows on your hard drive can be a trying experience. This process is not only time consuming but also a lot of preparation goes into it. Usually, this is someone's last resort when their Windows XP is not working properly. You may need to reinstall Windows on your hard drive for several reasons. You may have a virus that you cannot seem to get rid of or a Windows file has been corrupted. Instead of taking your machine to your local PC repair shop that could cost you a lot of money, reinstalling Windows may be your best solution. In a few steps, you will be able to learn how to reinstall Windows XP on your hard drive.

Things You'll Need

• Blank burnable disks
• CD or DVD burner
• Windows XP disk
• Broadband Internet connection

Instructions

1. Decide if there is anything on your computer that can not be lost. This includes any documents, business files, emails or internet bookmarks. Downloaded files may be able to be replaced, but this is a judgment call. Reinstalling Windows on your hard drive will erase all files on the drive. Be sure that you are aware of what you are losing.

2. Create a folder called "safe" or something of that nature. You will want to copy all the files you do not wish to lose into this folder. Double and triple check your hard drive for anything that may be important.

3. Place a blank CD or DVD in your CD-ROM drive. Once you have moved all of your files to the "safe" folder, you can burn them to disk. This method is the fastest solution to copying all of your wanted files to a disk. A DVD disk will hold more than a regular CD disk.

4. Burn your data disk. Once it has been completed, check the files to make sure they burned correctly. Then remove the disk from your drive.

5. Insert your Windows XP disk into your CD or DVD drive. Then reboot your computer. Once it has been rebooted, keep a close eye on your screen. It was ask you to push a key to boot from CD. If it does not, go to Step 6; if it does, continue on to Step 7.

6. Reboot your computer once again and press F10 or "Del" several times. You will need to enter your BIOS menu to change the boot device. This procedure is different on every computer. If F10 or "Del" does not work, you will need to watch your screen for the correct key to press to enter the BIOS. Once you have entered the BIOS, find the boot sequence. You should have a few different options to scan through, but it should not take very long to find this. Once the boot sequence is found, change it to boot the CD-ROM first and then the hard drive. Instructions on the bottom of the screen should tell you how to accomplish this. "Save" then "Exit."

7. Press a key to boot from CD. Windows XP will now read your system files and install necessary files to begin the setup process.

8. Reformat your hard drive. Once the setup has been completed, a screen will popup explaining your options. You can either reformat C: or install windows. You will want to reformat. Then install windows.

9. Activity bar will be displayed while the formatting process is being completed.

10. Reinstalling Windows XP will begin after you have finished formatting your hard drive. If you are a novice at reformatting, you should choose typical install. Answer all the on screen questions. This includes name and company. Other questions may be present.

11. Setup drivers for your computer. Most hardware requires drivers to run efficiently. This may include video, sound and internet cards. If Windows XP cannot install the drivers from the CD, you will need to do this manually. All of your drivers should be on disks. If they are not, you may have to look at your hardware to determine what kind you have. Open your tower and look at your video, sound and internet cards. They will have a make and model on them. Drivers Guide is a great place to download drivers for your hardware. Once you have signed up, you can use their simple search feature to find exactly what you need for your PC (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Your reformatting and installing of Windows XP should not take more than 2 hours maximum. Faster computers may see a turnaround time of 30 minutes.

• Before you reformat your hard drive, you may wish to find your drivers first for a quicker install.

• Drivers are software that allows Windows to properly operate the hardware or make it function all together.

Resources

• Drivers Guide