Uninstall Windows XP

vanagon40

I have an old Gateway all-in-one. I wanted to completely reinstall the Windows OS to wipe out all the old programs, etc, and start with a completely clean version of Windows.

I used the original installation disc, and now I two operating systems on the computer.

How do I wipe out the first (original) Windows OS.

If it makes any difference, it is Windows XP Home, SP1.

Thanks

Buddha16

When you reinstalled did it give you the option to do a format on your hard drive? Should have given you several options like NTFS full or quick format.

But could be also that your original cd's are just for restore purposes....?!?!

Esso

If you like to erase the complete hard disk drive then follow step 1.
If you like to erase only your two XP partitions, then follow step 2.
Please make an backup of all important data first.

Step 1: Complete erase of the hard disk drive and it's data.

Step 1a:
Select one partitions at figure 6 and press D, then follow the menus.
Repeat above operations for each partitions, until there is no more partitions left.

Step 1b:
Create one partition for the XP Windows, at the size of 10 - 20 GB.
Press C at figure 6, then follow the menus.

If you like to be able to make an dual boot installation later, then create another "small" partition at the síze of 10 -20 GB.
Then you make an large data partition of the remainig part of the HDD.

Goto step 3.

Step 2: Erase only the two XP partitions.

Erase:
Select one XP partitions at the time (at figure 6) and press D.
Then follow the menus.

Create:
Select each of the XP deleted partitions at fig.6 and press C.
This will recreate both of them, the trace of them being OS partitions is lost.

Step 3: Installation time.

Step 3a.
Select the drive C: at fig.6 , were XP will be installed.
In windows later you have to format the other partitions, before you can use them.

Step 3b.
At figure 9, make an complete format of the partition.
Windows will make an extra test of the partitions, and remove bad clusters.
Of course you can choose "Quick partition", but ....

Note, strictly personnel

I always installs the operating system in one partition, at the size between 10-20 GB.
Usually I make it 20 GB.
Some people like to keep them small, but then defragging them will take more time.

With an HDD at 250 GB, I can waste some space.

The "Acronis Disk Director Suit" (which is highly regarded), can resize the hard disk drive partitions after installation,
and that without loosing data.
It has been a great help for me.

I always stores all my data in the data partition, so that I can without any problem reinstall the operating system.
The only thing i have to backup regularly is the bookmarks, and other stuff that can't be moved.

After 6 month I can't recall how many programs I have installed and removed, so I normally choose to make an clean installation.

On my schedule is to learn how to make an ghost of the standard installation applications and the OS.
Then I only have to slide in the OS boot disk and start the installation process, without have to enter XP keys, keyboard language etc.

Godspeed.

Buddha is so fast, I have to run the spell check ..

vanagon40

Got it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.