enter BIOS ( Setup ) and set the first boot device as DVD/ROM. Put your Reinstallation Disc in the drive and disconnect all external peripherals except the monitor, keyboard and mouse, and be sure those are not USB, or wireless. Any internal USB card should also be removed.
Once you set your BIOS to boot first from cd . . when it restarts you will see a black screen with a prompt "Press any key to boot from CD" . . do that and you will be able to delete any or all partitions and recreate one or more, then proceed to formating and installing MCE.
That message can pass quickly, so have a finger on the keyboard when you boot. This will delete all data on the drive so be sure you have your important data backed up. The prompt will appear after every reboot, but do not press any key on subsequent reboots. The setup process will continue with no action required from you.
If you do not get that message, and if you have another optical drive, try the DVD in the other drive.
If you are installing on SATA drive, there is an additional step:
Thanks for the reply. This allows me to wipe my disk, reformat, etc. I actually didn't want to do that. I just want to reinstall windows over the previous installation. In Windows XP, there is an option to reinstall without having to wipe your disk clean. That's the option I'm looking for.
simpswr
2 Intern
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3.2K Posts
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March 6th, 2008 08:00
enter BIOS ( Setup ) and set the first boot device as DVD/ROM. Put your Reinstallation Disc in the drive and disconnect all external peripherals except the monitor, keyboard and mouse, and be sure those are not USB, or wireless. Any internal USB card should also be removed.
Once you set your BIOS to boot first from cd . . when it restarts you will see a black screen with a prompt "Press any key to boot from CD" . . do that and you will be able to delete any or all partitions and recreate one or more, then proceed to formating and installing MCE.
That message can pass quickly, so have a finger on the keyboard when you boot. This will delete all data on the drive so be sure you have your important data backed up. The prompt will appear after every reboot, but do not press any key on subsequent reboots. The setup process will continue with no action required from you.
If you do not get that message, and if you have another optical drive, try the DVD in the other drive.
If you are installing on SATA drive, there is an additional step:
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_install_windows_xp_on_a.htm
You can get a reinstallation guide specific to your Dell here
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/software_reinstall/en/index?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn
This is a great guide for reinstalling on a Dell: http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm
This is a site that walks you thru a simulated XP installation:
http://www.echoproject.net/en/software/catalog.html
These are good guides to reinstalling XP . . you might want to print one for reference during the install.
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
http://www.socrtwo.info/cleanxpinstall.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_install_-_graphic.htm
You will likely have to reload drivers (Chipset first) and applications, Prior to connecting to the internet be sure you enable the XP firewall.
Merrick2
18 Posts
0
March 6th, 2008 12:00
Thanks for the reply. This allows me to wipe my disk, reformat, etc. I actually didn't want to do that. I just want to reinstall windows over the previous installation. In Windows XP, there is an option to reinstall without having to wipe your disk clean. That's the option I'm looking for.
Thanks
simpswr
2 Intern
•
3.2K Posts
0
March 6th, 2008 14:00
That would be doing a Repair Install . . which will not help with the slowing down problem. These are good guides to performing a repair install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
http://www.informationweek.com/windo...leID=189400897