'''Having problems reinstalling XP'''

[mach04]

I began having trouble with XP on my laptop, as I beleive it is infected with viruses, having troubles starting it, only sarts in safe mode with a cd.
I have tried to reinstall the XP with an older version of XP, SP1, which I purchased for 2½ years ago. But I cannot use this cd, as it says that this is an old version and it cannot be written on a new one. The one which is running on my laptop is a SP2.
I was wondering if someone could lead me on how to reinstall the XP on my laptop with the cd I have.

thanks in advance.

 

[NickCat11]

Mach,

From what I can gather it sounds like you are trying to perform an upgrade install instead of a clean install. Reboot your machine with the XP CD in the drive and make sure it boots from the CD. Then follow the on screen instructions. In short you will need to delete the system partition, create a new one, and then install xp on that new partition. Once that is finished make sure you install any missing drivers. Hope this helps.

Nick

 

[mach04]

I can make it run on the cd otherwise it doesnt work at all, but the problem is it does not use this cd for reinstalling! it keep on saying that this is an old version of XP.

 

[wolluf]

mach04 - as Nick says, if you boot from the SP1 install CD (ie, in the bios set it to boot from CD first, if its not already, put CD in drive, reboot machine and when it says press any key to boot from CD - press a key), you can install clean. It will (probably) find the existing installation and offer to repair it. Don't do this if you think its virus ridden. Press Esc key and then on next screen use the partitioning tools to delete existing partition and create new one. Then install as normal.

One obvious thing - backup any data you don't want to lose beforehand, as this will wipe your drive.

It sounds like you have been running the CD within windows.

btw - you can create a SP2 install disk by slipstreaming - eg, see

http://www.nliteos.com

- if you're interested.

 

[gpalmer711]

I think your mistake is that you are booting into windows safe mode then trying to install. As Nick says it will then try and do an upgrade which will fail as the CD is SP1 and you have SP2 installed.

First make sure that you can boot to the CD by checking the settings in your BIOS. Make sure that the CD drive is the first or primary boot device.

Now you should be able to boot to the Windows Installer on the CD and follow the prompts to reinstall XP.

Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[linney]

Remove SP2, Slipstream SP2 and perform a repair install, or install XP SP1 as a clean install and then update it to SP2.

You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875350&product=windowsxpsp2#appliesto

Slipstream Service Packs
thread779-900263

Slipstreaming Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Create Bootable CD

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html

RyanVM's Windows XP Post-SP2 Update Pack

http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/updatepack.html

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


For more help (shows enlargeable screenshots) go here.

http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm