Installing Windows XP

Squall · July 23rd, 2003, 07:10 PM

I recently installed Windows XP. I accidently installed it on top of the current OS, Windows 98SE. Is there a way to delete Windows 98SE without having to delete Windows XP as well?

jmebonner · July 23rd, 2003, 07:31 PM

Well, there should be the option to remove the 98 backup files in the add or remove programs section, but I'm not sure that's what you mean...

July 23rd, 2003, 07:50 PM

Well, firstly, you could remove 98SE but there is no clean way to do it.

Unless you have compelling reasons to keep 98SE, its always better to "clean install" XP by booting from the XP CD and formatting the drive during setup and installing all your applications one by one.

Results in a clean, neat uncluttered install which would consume less space and be more stable.

Suggest you do this if you have all software disks handy.

Squall · July 23rd, 2003, 09:24 PM

I tried installing a "clean copy" from windows itself, but I don't see the option to format the drive anywhere? Do i have to boot from the CD before windows loads or something?

EvilCrow · July 24th, 2003, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Squall
Do i have to boot from the CD before windows loads or something?

Yes...

July 24th, 2003, 08:47 AM

You must boot from the CD. But remember to set the CD drive as the first boot drive in BIOS. Hope you know that. After it starts the POST, you may have to press any key for CD booting.

After the first CD boot, you will get the various options including formating and choosing between FAT32 or NTFS.

In my opinion, NTFS is a bettter file system overall with XP. Before XP is completely setup, it will reboot several times. Ensure it doesn't boot from the CD a second time or you will go in a circle and start at the beginning everytime. After the first CD boot, the very next time it restarts, set the hard drive as first boot device in BIOS.

Hope this is clear.