Thread: xp

**merv62** · January 14th, 2007, 08:21 PM

hello all ? i want to reinstall xp the problem i have is my xp cd has sp1 on it my computer has sp2 so i get a window saying can't load xp because i have an updated version what can i do i want start from scatch to many things wrong my fault i'm sure maybe some good links to walk me through it. thanks for any input

**Atomic Rooster** · January 14th, 2007, 08:33 PM

Well, set the BIOS to boot to CD.

Then remember to "Press Any Key to Boot from CD" when prompted.
After installing the necessary setup files, Windows XP will display your partitions.

Delete any existing partitions by selecting the desired partition with the arrow keys, press D to delete and then L to confirm the deletion.

You should now have only one option, "Unpartitioned Space". Press Enter to install Windows XP to the unpartitioned space.

When asked how you would like to format the partition, select "Format using the NTFS file system".

After the partition is formatted, Windows XP will begin installation. The computer will reboot. While the computer is rebooting, do not touch any keys as it will boot into the OS and continue finishing setting up your system.

**merv62** · January 15th, 2007, 05:51 PM

you lost me, the computer was originaly booted from this cd would that change ?the problem is when i insert the xp/sp1 cd it won't let me go any farther because i have installed sp2 from m/s cd on the drive which makes it a newer version. can i delete sp2 with add and remove? then i would be back to xp/sp1 would windows then reinstall xp with sp1? then i could add sp2 back in with the sp2 cd. will this work thanks

**Jarhed7276** · January 15th, 2007, 06:02 PM

You say you want to start from scratch. Does this mean you don't care if you lose the data that is on the hard drive now? If so the use Killdisk to wipe the drive (or the partition that the OS is on). If you do need the data from the drive then back up the data before using Killdisk. Once you have wiped the drive you will be able to install the OS.

http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

**RicheemxX** · January 15th, 2007, 06:19 PM

Merv you need to change the boot order in the bios, leave the xp cd in the drive boot from there and you'll see the options AR is talking about. It will be a blue setup screen.

this should help

personally I'd recommend slipstreaming sp2 and other hotfixes into an xp disk http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html works great and is pretty easy to use! it saves you from having to download and add all that stuff later

**merv62** · January 15th, 2007, 06:38 PM

another problem i have is i can't get on the web with the computer i'm working on can i download killdisk to a cd and load it on the problem child

**Jarhed7276** · January 15th, 2007, 07:10 PM

If I am understanding the problem correctly the problem is not that Merv can't boot from the CD because of boot order but rather the current OS (XP SP2) will not allow the XP SP1 CD to install because it is seen as an older OS. I have come across this issue before.

Merv, there are two ways to get the Killdisk. One is a bootable floppy and the other is an .iso image that you burn to CD to make a bootable CD. The instructions for both methods are on the page I linked to.

If you have the means to do so then slipstreaming SP2 onto a disk like RicheemxX suggested is another good way to do it. With a slipstreamed CD you could follow Atomic Rooster's advice and delete the partition that way.