Reformatting the Hard Drive before re-installing Windows XP

[rlynn9]

I have a number of problems with my current installation of Windows XP, not the least of which is that the OS is a pirated edition. I have backed up my files on another hard drive and I purchased a New edition of XP professional. I would like to reformat the hard drive in a single partition (NTS) and then install the legal edition of Windows XP. Can you advise me as to the best way to go about doing this?

 

[charel]

there are options for partitioning & formatting the hard drive during XP Prof setup - to install over the current partition/partition & reformat/format as NTFS or FAT32 - not sure if XP Home comes with the same options though..

 

[linney]

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


Further help and images here.

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/indexwinxp.htm

 

[jrjacobs]

we ALWAYS debug the hard drive before we put on a new OS... this prevents problems in the MBR from carrying over. for an explanation of "how" and "why" go to

http://www.firmware.com/support/bios/hdclear.htm