How to format your computer and re-install Windows XP

1. How to format your computer and re-install Windows XP CPE 101

2. WARNING:Formatting your hard drive will REMOVE any and ALL files on your computer. This includes any documents, pictures, or music you may have put on the computer since it was first set up. CPE 101

3. Step #1: Plan your installation • When you run the Windows XP Professional Setup program, you must provide information about how to install and configure the operating system. Thorough planning can make your installation of Windows XP Professional more efficient by helping you to avoid potential problems during installation. An understanding of the configuration options will also help to ensure that you have properly configured your system. • Most important things you should take into consideration when planning for your XP installation: • Check System Requirements • Check Hardware and Software Compatibility • Determine Disk Partitioning Options • Choose the Appropriate File System: FAT, FAT32, NTFS • Decide on a Workgroup or Domain Installation • Complete a Pre-Installation Checklist • After you made sure you can go on, start the installation process. CPE 101

4. Step #2: Beginning the installation process • Backup any files you want to keep. You can copy files to floppy disks, zip disks, or CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-Rs, or other suitable media. • Make sure your network cable is unplugged from the wall. • Insert the Windows XP CD into your CD-ROM drive and restart your computer. • First, make sure that your computer is set to Boot to CD.  This is a different procedure depending on your computer.  When your computer first boots look for an option to enter the BIOS settings.  Under the BIOS settings find the "Boot Order" and make sure the CD-ROM is set to boot first.  • With the Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM drive, save your BIOS settings and exit. CPE 101

5. The computer will prompt you to Press any key to boot from CD. Press a key on the keyboard to start Windows Setup. CPE 101

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7. The computer will now load the setup files. This may take a few minutes. CPE 101

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9. You will be presented with a menu. Press Enter to setup Windows XP. CPE 101

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11. A license agreement will appear. Read through it and press F8 when ready. CPE 101

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13. Next you will prepare the hard drive for the installation of Windows. You will see a list of hard drives and partitions. CPE 101

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15. Delete the partitions prefixed with C:. To do this, select the partition and press D. Windows Setup may warn you that this is a system partition. Press Enter. CPE 101

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17. To complete the removal of the partition, press L when you see this screen. CPE 101

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19. You will be returned to the partition list. There should be a Unpartitioned space item in the list. Highlight it and press C to create a new partition. CPE 101

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21. Windows Setup will ask you for the size of the partition. The field should be filled in with the size of your hard drive. We suggest you do not modify it and simply press Enter. CPE 101

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23. Once again you will return to the partition list. There should be a new listing for C: labeled Partition1 [New (Raw)]. Highlight it and press Enter. CPE 101

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25. You will now be asked which file system to format the drive in. We recommend you select NTFS (either quick or otherwise). Press Enter to continue. CPE 101

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27. The drive will now be formatted. This may take a few minutes. After this step is complete your hard drive will be completely empty. CPE 101

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29. Windows Setup will now copy the files from the CD that will be needed to install WindowsXP. This will take several minutes. CPE 101

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31. After the files have been copied, Windows Setup will restart your computer. You can remove the Windows CD at this time. If you choose to leave it in, do NOT press any keys when the computer says to Press any key to boot from CD. CPE 101

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33. Step #3: The GUI-based portion of the Setup program • The setup process reboots and loads a GUI mode phase. CPE 101

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35. At this point, the Windows Setup program will install Windows and configure your hardware. It will ask you to configure some settings like date/time, users, and to input your serial number. CPE 101

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37. Click Customize to change regional settings, if necessary. • Current System Locale - Affects how programs display dates, times, currency, and numbers. Choose the locale that matches your location, for example, French (Canada). • Current Keyboard Layout - Accommodates the special characters and symbols used in different languages. Your keyboard layout determines which characters appear when you press keys on the keyboard. • If you don't need to make any changes just press Next. CPE 101

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39. If you do need to make changes press Customize and add your System Locale etc. CPE 101

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41. Type your name and organization. CPE 101

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43. Enter your product key.  • If you purchased Windows XP from the IMU Bookstore, the product key will be located on the back of the sleeve your CD came in.  • If you are reformatting using a Windows XP CD that came with your computer, the product key may be located on a sticker somewhere on your computer case. CPE 101

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45. Type the computer name and a password for the local Administrator account. • The local Administrator account resides in the SAM of the computer, not in Active Directory. If you will be installing in a domain, you need either a pre-assigned computer name for which a domain account has been created, or the right to create a computer account within the domain. CPE 101

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47. Select the date, time, and time zone settings. CPE 101

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49. When asked for Network Settings, choose "Typical Settings". CPE 101

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