re-formating my hard drive question

If you Clean Install XP from XP CD it won't reinstall the extra files originally installed by OEM DELL.
Check the size of C\i386 Folder on Computer &  \i386 on XP CD.

The poster did not say that he/she is using XP.

Well I was about to do a reformat of my hard drive and I opened that little green packet that says for distrubution only with a new pc and theres nothing in it just a little packet with no cd in it.  Isnt there supose to be a cd in there of the OS

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@robnalex wrote:
The poster did not say that he/she is using XP.

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I assumed so as this is Windows XP Forum.! & question should therefor relate to XP.

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 01-02-2004 12:10 PM

Ok.

So, how do you do a clean instal of xp?  Everytime I try, all i get as options are repair and instal to the partition with the old windows already on it. 

How do i get windows to format my hard drive while i install it, so it will be like new again?  I know it can be done, i did it once before, i just forget how.

mithrander-

If you select the partition with the previous windows installation on it, it will automatically be reformatted. Here is an excellent guide for performing a clean installation:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

gryjhnhpe-

lighten up!

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robnalex wrote:  mithrander-   If you select the partition with the previous windows installation on it, it will automatically be reformatted. Here is an excellent guide for performing a clean installation:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

gryjhnhpe-

lighten up!

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robnalex , your comment make no sense as I answered the Question correctly & perhaps you need to "lighten up!" with your criticism of others Replies.
Also the link you gave assumes a Clean Install status , meaning the HD doesn't have any Windows OS on it.
So it doesn't have any step to Delete the existing partition & thus Windows OS to achieve Clean Install status.
You need to add Delete existing partition at step 5.
as follows;
You this link & select XP Home or PRO then method , ie: Used Hard Drive , Multi_Page has text & large pictures of Clean Install.
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

Use this link for Clean Install of XP , if you click on Pictures they Expand for easy view
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html (Delete existing partition at step 10b for Clean Install)

or use this link ( *** Delete existing partition at step 5 for Clean Install ***)
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

To Clean Install deletes existing partition (like FDISK)  &  Formats HD during Install of Windows XP  from XP CD.
Set BIOS to use CD-ROM as 1st boot device usually by pressing F2 during boot (startup).
Re-start Computer & when message "Press any key to boot from CD" shows do it & let subsequent messages "Press any key...." time out to Windows setup.

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 01-02-2004 04:00 PM

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 01-02-2004 04:03 PM

My, my....gryjhnhpe, but don't you take yourself awfully seriously.

Actually, everything the user needs to reformat is in that guide, and all the options to delete or reformat are presented at that step in the install process.

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robnalex wrote:  My, my....gryjhnhpe, but don't you take yourself awfully seriously.

Actually, everything the user needs to reformat is in that guide, and all the options to delete or reformat are presented at that step in the install process.

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Yes , I believe the info provided here should be accurate & I appreciate corrections if I'm wrong.