3 Ways to Reinstall Windows XP

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-19 22:11

Sometimes system files can get corrupted, and you will try to work with a barely functioning windows XP operating system. Maybe all your programs are starting to run slowly, and you wish there was a way to make the windows operating system run as fast as before. Fortunately, repairing or reinstalling Windows XP is a fairly straightforward process. Follow the steps below to install Windows XP regardless of the version you are using.

Step

Method 1 of 3: Install Repair

Step 1. Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM

If you no longer have it, contact your computer store for a replacement, or download an.iso file from the internet where you can copy the contents onto a blank CD. Watch out for viruses, and be aware that you still need to enter a valid product key number to perform the installation.

Step 2. Write down the product key number

This will be useful before you start the installation process. This key number consists of a 25 character code that you must enter in order to install the Windows operating system. It can usually be found in several different places:

• It's in the Windows XP CD box, usually on the back.

  

• Being on the computer. For desktop computers, it is usually behind the case. For laptops, it's at the bottom.

Step 3. Reboot your computer

make sure the Windows XP CD is inserted into the CD-ROM. Your computer needs to be set to boot from the CD. To do this you have to go into the BIOS settings section.

• To access the BIOS, press the setup button after the computer brand logo appears. The keys are different for each brand of computer, but are usually the F2, F10, F12, or Delete keys. The correct button will be displayed on the screen when the computer brand logo appears.

  

• Once you enter the BIOS, enter the Boot menu. Select First Boot from CD-ROM. Depending on your BIOS setup, it may also be called a DVD drive, optical drive, or CD/DVD drive.

  

• Save the changes and exit the BIOS. This will cause the computer to reboot.

  

Step 4. Start the installation

After the computer brand logo disappears, a message will appear saying “Press any key to boot from CD…” press any key on the keyboard to start the installation process. If you don't press a key, the computer will boot from the hard drive as usual.

Step 5. The setup process will run

The Windows operating system must load the driver to start the setup process. This will take a while. When finished, you will be greeted with a screen that says welcome. Press the Enter key to start the repair installation. Do not go into the Recovery section.

Step 6. Read the approval letter

When finished reading the approval letter, press the F8 key to agree and continue. Setup will display a list of Windows XP installations. Most users will only see one thing on this list.

Step 7. Select an existing Windows XP installation

If you have only one Windows XP installed, it will automatically be highlighted. Press the R button to start the repair process. The Windows operating system will start copying files, and make the computer reboot automatically. This will start the repair installation.

• You will need to specify a date, time, and a few other questions. Often, the default option is acceptable.

  

Step 8. Enter the product key number

At the end of the installation, you will be asked to enter the product key number. Windows will check the validity of this key number before continuing the process.

• After installation, you will need to validate your copy of Windows online or over the phone. The product activation menu will appear when you log into the newly repaired Windows. If you have an internet connection, then you can do this with the press of a button.

  

Step 9. Check existing programs

After the installation is complete, you will be taken to windows that have undergone a repair installation. Because certain file systems have been changed, some installed programs may not work, and may need to be reinstalled.

• Some hardware drivers may need to be reinstalled. To see which hardware is not properly installed, open the Start menu and right-click My Computer. Select the Hardware tab, and click Device Manager. If there is a hardware device with a yellow exclamation mark, then the device driver needs to be reinstalled.

  

• Personal data and documents should not be compromised by repair installation. Check that everything is in place.

  

Method 2 of 3: Format and Reinstall

Step 1. Backup your data

Formatting and reinstalling Windows will free up your hard drive. Make sure that you have backed up all important files before starting the process. Photos, movies, documents, and music will all be deleted.

Step 2. Insert the Windows CD

Take note of the product key number, you will need it during the installation process. Boot from the Windows CD to start the program setup

Detailed steps for this can be found in steps 1-4 of the first part of this guide

Step 3. Setup will load

Windows will load the driver for the setup program. Once this process is complete, press the Enter key on the Welcome screen to start the setup. Do not go into the recovery section.

Step 4. Read the approval letter

Press the F8 key after you have finished reading the approval letter to continue the setup process. Setup will load a list of Windows XP installations. Press the Esc key to continue with the fresh installation.

Step 5. Delete the hard drive partition

You will see a list of hard drive partitions. These are drives C: and D: (naming depends on the system settings that have been made).

• This is your last chance to restart your computer and back up files you forgot to back up. Once the partition is deleted, all your data will be lost.

  

• Highlight the partition containing the Windows operating system. Usually located in the C: partition. Press D to delete that partition. Confirm that you want to delete the partition by pressing the Enter key.

  

• You will get one last chance to get out of the process. To be absolutely sure that you want to delete that partition, press L.

  

Step 6. Create a new partition

Select unpartitioned space. Press the C key to create a new partition. Enter the maximum possible size and press Enter.

• You can create a smaller partition if you want to create another partition on your hard drive through a Windows system. This is the reason why someone would do this, but for some users, creating a partition as large as possible should suffice.

  

Step 7. Start Windows setup

Once the partition is created, highlight it, and press Enter to start the Windows installation process. You will be asked to format the partition. Select “Format the partition using the NTFS file system.” Choose NTFS over FAT, because NTFS is more stable on Windows.

• Formatting will start. This could take a few hours depending on the size and speed of your hard drive, but for most users it will take a few minutes.

  

• Once formatted, the Windows system will copy all the files needed for the setup process. This will take a few minutes and requires no user interaction.

  

Step 8. Windows will start the installation process

This is mostly an automated process that requires the user to enter some information at a certain time. The first option that appears is to change the language and region. Click Customize… if the settings don't match your region. Once the settings are correct, click Next to continue.

• When prompted, write your name and organization. It will be used when labeling the document, and can be changed in Windows settings later.

  

Step 9. Enter the product key number

You will be asked to enter a 25 digit product key at this point. If you are installing from the Windows XP SP3 CD, the product key has not been requested.

Step 10. Enter your computer name

This is the name that will appear on the network to describe your computer. The Windows system will automatically load the name, but you are free to change it however you want.

• For Windows XP Professional, you will be asked to enter the Administrator password that will be used to access the Administrator account.

  

Step 11. Choose the correct time and date

Now you will see a calendar and clock that can be adjusted according to the time where you live. You can also select the time zone for your location.

Step 12. Adjust network settings

You will be asked if you want to install the usual or customized network settings. For most users, the regular setting is the correct choice. If you are installing in an enterprise environment, check with the system administrator first.

• When asked to enter a workgroup, most users will choose the first option, and leave the workgroup name by default. If you are in a corporate environment, you may need to enter a domain name. Again, check with the system administrator first.

  

Step 13. The Windows system will complete the setup process

This will take a few minutes and requires no user input. Once done, your computer will restart automatically and load Windows XP.

• If you change the BIOS settings to boot from CD, you may see the option “Press any key to Boot from CD…” again. Don't press any button and wait for the screen to change. Your computer will continue to boot from the hard drive and complete the windows installation.

  

Step 14. Select OK to set the screen resolution

The Windows system will automatically resize the screen for easier reading. Once the screen resets, you'll be asked if you can read the new text box. If you can, click OK to continue. If you can't, then select cancel or wait for 20 seconds for the screen to return to its initial settings.

Step 15. Select Next to continue the installation process

The Welcome screen of Microsoft Windows will appear after the screen changes are made. This process will only take a few minutes.

• Windows system will try to change your computer's network connectivity. If you plan to set this up later, you can skip this section.

  

• The next screen will ask if you are connected to the internet via a local network or home network, or directly connected to the internet. If you are using a router for your network, then choose the first option. If the modem is directly connected to your computer, then choose the second option.

  

• You are given the option to register your product with Microsoft. Registering or not is up to you, it is not required to run the Windows operating system.

Step 16. Enter the computer username

In this step, you create a separate login for each computer user. You must enter at least one name. You can create up to five users on this screen, but more can be created via the control panel after the installation process.

• After entering the name, click finish to complete the installation process. The Windows system will run for a while and you will be greeted with your new desktop display

  

Step 17. Run Windows update

Your installation is complete, but you need to run Windows updates as soon as possible. This will download the latest system updates from Microsoft. This is very important, because it fixes system vulnerabilities and stability issues.

Step 18. Install the drivers for the hardware

You will most likely need to install the drivers again after the computer is finished formatting. Depending on the hardware connected to your computer, this could include VGA, modem or network card, speakers, etc.

These drivers can be found on the driver CD that was provided when buying the computer, and can also be downloaded from the computer manufacturer's website

Method 3 of 3: Install Without Using a CD

Step 1. Install from recovery partition

Many computer manufacturers ship their computers pre-installed with a partition on the hard drive that contains the Windows installation files. To access it, you have to boot into the recovery partition.

• The most common key to enter the recovery partition is F11. This text will appear under the computer brand logo shortly after turning on the computer.

  

• The recovery boot order is different for each brand of computer. Follow the steps on the screen to enter the setup program. After setup is started, follow the steps above starting from Step 3.

  

Step 2. Install from Windows

You will use a file called winnt32.exe. This file is a Windows installer that can be run from within Windows XP. To find the file, open the Start menu and click Search. Select "all Files and Folders" and the left. Enter "winnt32.exe" in the search box.

• Running winnt32 will reboot your computer and enter the Windows setup. From this point on, follow Step 3 from the section above. You still need to enter a valid product key number. Your data will be deleted just as if you were doing a normal installation.