[hoggyspuds]

Originally Posted by MovedGoalPosts

At it's simplest level it means you will be completely wiping your PC of all the data held on it. So stage 1 must be to back up everything you might want (emails, letters, photos, but also any software and similar gumpf).

If you put your original windows XP CD into the drive, then switch the PC off, and on again, hopefully you will have an option come up to reboot from the CD rather than it going straight to the Hard Disk, and current windows installation. If it doesn't boot from CD, you may need to edit the boot sequence in your BOIS settings. Depending on your computer as you switch it on, before it gets as far as any windows logo, hold down the DEL, or F2 keys. Be very sure and careful of any changes you make in the BOIS as you can make some very nasty changes.

When you do get to boot from the Windows CD, you will have the option to repair or install windows. You want to install. But first when you get the option as to where to install, on which partition, you want to format the partition. You may have to delete the partition first and recreate it to force the formating. By formating you will ensure no trace of your old windows settings exist that could continue corruptions into your new setup.

Well said!