How to format your hard drive and install Windows XP from scratch.Hey, Windows XP users The blue screen of death got you down Missing dll errors making you frown Frequent software crashes leave you yearning for that fresh, new PC you unpacked with glee three years ago If youve scrubbed for spyware and viruses, defragged, chkdsked and done the requisite rain dance but things are STILL wonky on your computer, it may be time for extreme action.Today were 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 isnt 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 youll need A Windows XP machine in dire need of a fresh startWithout any crucial, un backedup data on itA Windows XP installation CD with a valid Product KeyPreferably the disc that shipped with the computer originally, in which case the Product Key wont be obviously listedThe CDs and serial numbers of all the software you need to install on your fresh new machine.Hardware driver discs that shipped with the PC and any components you added onOptional, but VERY strongly recommendedAnother net connected computer of any OS persuasion with a CD burner, thumb drive, or other removable diskOptional, but strongly recommended, for looking up stuff and downloading drivers in case of emergencyOne full day to get your PC fully functioning again.Got all that Good.Lets get started.Step 1.Back up your data.First, make sure absolutely NOTHING you cannot afford to lose is on the drive youre going to install Windows on lets say the C drive.Move all your documents and settings off the machine.Back up your Firefox settings with Moz.Backup, export your Quicken file, Sync.Back profiles, Apache configuration and absolutely anything else that you want restored after youre done.Just make sure its off the machine thats going under the knife.Step 2.Audit your current PC setup.Once upon a time, I did tech support for Windows 9.PCs, when Plug and Play was a fairly new concept that was rightly referred to as Plug and Pray amongst my disgruntled technician co workers.Today, Windows XP is eons ahead of 9.HOWEVER, its still not perfect.PCs come with a whole wide range of video cards and network adaptors and Bluetooth thingamajiggers, and its very possible youll install XP and it wont know exactly what brand of TV tuner card youve got and how to find the driver for it.So, before we do anything, were going to take an inventory of all the hardware youve currently got installed.I used to print a report from Device Manager for this purpose Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager, Action, Print but a handy little utility called Belarc Advisor via Nicholas Roussos does a nicer job than Device Manager.Windows_Defender_XP.JPG' alt='Windows Xp Registry Installed Software Inventory' title='Windows Xp Registry Installed Software Inventory' />
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November 2017
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