Got viruses? Corrupted or lost some Windows files? Want to upgrade? Here’s a guide to help you install Windows XP from a CD or DVD. This should work for any hard drives before the SATA generation. If you’re not sure about your drive, check online using the model of your drive (found in the “device manager” or on the sticker on your drive). Keep in mind that if you’re trying to “downgrade” from Vista to XP, you’re probably going to need a slipstreamed XP installer that has SATA drivers, which is beyond the scope of this article.

Let’s get started.  Make sure you have all of your files backed up because this will format your hard drive.  Make sure the computer is set to boot from CD/DVD.  You can do this usually by pressing one of the F keys (F2, F10, and F12 are common)  during the first boot screen.

 

You should see something like:

 

Press any key before it times out.  It will start loading some files.  After all the files are loaded you will get the following screen:

 
To install a fresh copy of XP hit enter (RECOMMENDED)

Press F8 to continue. You will get a screen where all the hard drives will be listed, depending on the size of your hard drive and how many drives you have the screen will look different:

For a fresh install select the hard drive you want to install the Windows to and hit D (if you have more than one partition and want to delete them, select the partition you want to delete and follow the steps below)

Hit Enter on this screen to delete the partition.

Hit L on this screen.  ALL FILES WILL BE DESTROYED!

Press ENTER to select Unpartitioned space, which appears by default.

 
If you have a lot of viruses/spyware its best to perform a full format (recommended) which is the 3^rd option (takes longer, could take an hour or more depending on the size of drive) otherwise select quick (a matter of seconds)

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Press ENTER again to select Format the partition using the NTFS file system, which appears by default.

 

You will see this screen..

If everything is good, Windows will start installing. Windows XP reboots the computer and then continues with the installation process. From this point forward, you can use your mouse. Eventually, the Regional and Language Options page appears.

Click Next to accept the default settings.

 
On the Personalize Your Software page, type your name and your organization name. Then, click Next.

On the Your Product Key page, type your product key as it appears on your Windows XP CD case. Then, click Next

On the Computer Name and Administrator Password page, in the Computer name box, type a name, such as PC or JOHNS. You cannot use spaces or punctuation.

On the Date and Time Settings page, set your computer’s clock. Then, click the Time Zone down arrow, and select your time zone. Click Next.

Windows XP will spend about a minute configuring your computer. On the Networking Settings page, click Next.

On the Workgroup or Computer Domain page, click Next.

Windows XP will spend 20 or 30 minutes configuring your computer and will automatically restart when finished. When the Display Settings dialog appears, click OK.

 

When the Monitor Settings dialog box appears, click OK.

 

 

The final stage of setup begins. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows page, click Next.

On the Help protect your PC page, click Help protect my PC by turning on

Automatic Updates now. Then, click Next.

Select whether or not you want to register Windows.  It’s optional.

Click Next, and you should be done!

Need more help? Send us an email at help@pcxmedics.com, or use our contact form.