Overwriting Existing XP Professional

[telboy1938]

Having a few problems with my PC, I have, after unsuccessfully tried to fix them, purchased a new XP Prof SP3 CD. Not wishing to cause myself more problems I request your advise as to correct method of loading....i.e. Do I press F8 to boot from CD (leaving existing program in place?))....or do I need to do anything else prior to loading the new CD?
Thanks in advance.....Tel

[ChuckFickens]

If you want to clear the hard drive then just boot from the CD and delete the existing partition on the hard drive when you get the option of where you want to setup windows, then create a new partition and windows will install onto that.

If you only have one computer then goto the manufacturers website and download all the drivers for your computer before starting the install and put them on a USB memory stick. or a CD so you have them ready.... doing a fresh install and then finding out you have no way of accessing the internet to download the drivers to allow you to access the internet is a real pain:)

[telboy1938]

Hi ChuckFickens, Glad I located you today....My PC is the HP compaq dc5800 small form factor model which is about 2.5 years old and given me little problems until now. As you will know, it comes with "C" Drive and a second HP_Recovery drive but I have no idea how to use it or what it recovers. Also would I still need to download and save all applicable drivers prior to using it. Maybe you are conversent with this PC. Many thanks...Tel

[ChuckFickens]

You may have wasted your money on buying an XP CD if it has a recovery partition. if you turn the computer on and immediately start tapping F11 it *should* start the factory recovery procedure and take the entire system back to how it was first delivered.

If this doesn't work (or if you want to do a clean install from the CD, which Is how I'd do it) then you would need to boot the computer from the XP CD and pretty much just follow the on screen instructions remembering to delete the main (largest) partition and then recreate it when you get to the partition options.... If you choose this route just take a crack at it... face it if you are wiping the drive anyhow you can't really go drastically wrong, worst case is you'd just have to boot from CD again and give it another go.

The driver are available from the link below...
http://h20000.www2.hp...kId=135&swEnvOID=1093

The required drivers you'd need are as follows (I can't provide direct links due to how HP's site works... but just click download on each page)

http://h20000.www2.hp...135&swItem=vc-75813-1

http://h20000.www2.hp...tem=PSG_I23303-108286

http://h20000.www2.hp...135&swItem=ir-75011-1

http://h20000.www2.hp...135&swItem=ir-91806-1

http://h20000.www2.hp...135&swItem=vc-95687-1

http://h20000.www2.hp...135&swItem=vc-68806-1

http://h20000.www2.hp...135&swItem=vc-87125-1

As I said, download all the above and burn them on CD or put them onto a USB stick so you have them ready for after windows has installed, because until you install them (well at least the network driver) you won't be able to access the internet.... all you have to do with each one in turn is double click on the files, click next/ok a few time and it will install the drivers for you.

[telboy1938]

Hi ChuckFickens, I have saved all my files etc to a usb stick along with the 7 driver files. Will I need anything else in order to install the new XP Prof or am I ready to go now. Once again, my thanks......Tel

[ChuckFickens]

Obviously you are going to need the original disks for any software you had and also for any non standard devices (printers etc) but as long as you have all your personal files and the drivers you should be good to go....

I'd suggest being quite harsh in what you reinstall, only install what you really need and also be very careful when reinstalling your own software to make sure you don't install any of the optional extras like toolbars during the install procedure.

Also once the computer is setup keep running windows updates until there are no more, it normally takes 3-4 goes to get them all.

[ChuckFickens]

Oh and if you've not got a paid for anti virus product waiting to go on the computer I'd suggest microsoft security essentials as a pretty good free one.

http://www.microsoft....sentials/default.aspx

[AlBags]

I think you didn't need that new disc.
Just a Recovery Reload.

You could have used your Files and Settings wizard first .. to save your basic settings, themes, etc.
That would save you time.