Need Help FORMATING COMPUTER

[cool_hot007]

Hi,
I have a couple of questions about my copmuter.


I had some problems and some viruses in the copmuter so I formatted it.
(I don't know if the process I did is corrects but here it is:


I inserted the CD of Windows XP Proffesional into the CD Rom Drive and

followed the instructions. Somewhere in the setup screen, I chose

Advanced Options and checked "copy all files directly from the cd" and

also cheacked "let me choose the partition..."


When the process was done, the computer restarted and a blue screen

appeared where it showed me the Hard Disk drives and the partitions. I

have 2 seperate disks, C and D. Windows XP was originally installed on

C.
It said that an existing version was found. To repair press R or to

continue installing a fresh copy, pess Esc.

I pressed Esc. I tried deleting the partition where Windows XP was

originally installed (Afterall, I want to delete everything on the

copmuter!) but a message appeared, saying that this partition can't be

deleted since it contains temperory files needed to copmlete the

installation.
Instead, I chose to install Windows XP over the previous version. I

pressed enter on the partition where it was previously installed. A

message asppeard that Windows allready exists, reinstalling it on the

same patition will overwrite all the data and the users, my documents

... will be deleted.

So I continued installing


When the installation was done, I loaded Windows XP and it was like a

new computer, only when I open disk C, all the prgrams that were

previously installed are there (in the program files).
I went to Add/Remove programs from the controle pannel and it was empty

so I selected and deleted all the programs.

I don't know if what I did was correct and if there is a way to format

the entire computer and erase all the files.


Another problem that occured is that before formatting the computer, I

had Norton Antivirus 2004 Proffessional installed. I didn't uninstall

ot anything.

After I formated the computer, I tried reinstalling Norton but a

message kept appearing that the installation failed. I tried installing

a different version of norton, including Norton System Works 2004, but

the message kept appearing.




I don't know what I did wrong.

Please, if any one can help fix these problems and tell me if the way I

formatted the computer is correct. (If not, please tell me a step by

step procedure on how to format everyting on the computer)

PS: If what I did is wrong and I cant install Norton anymore, then I

will format the computer again (but the right way!!!)


Thank You Very Much

Hope you could help me

 

[mikesgroovin]

You can use a 98 boot disk to do this. Your drive was never formatted. The os was just replaced. So, the registry went with it along with the recognition of installed applications. Even though the physical files were still there.....the os didn't see them as installed. Ok, so back to the way you can get this done....

http://www.techist.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18003

I realize that you have a bootable CD.....but just follow the instructions with your CD as if it were not bootable.

 

[eipeks]

First off. Dont use the Winxp setup from Windows itself.

1) Go into your BIOS and change your First boot device to be your CD RoM

2) Insert your Windows XP disk and reboot. Your PC will now boot from the Windows XP CD.

3) Follow the setup instructions to the point where it asks you if you want to Repair windows or install a new copy.

4) Delete the Old partition!! (C, L, Enter)

5) Now Install windows on the newly created Unpartitioned space.

Windows will format this parition for you.

 

[cool_hot007]

Thank you very much for your replies

Mike: THank you, I will try your procedure and see if it works. If anything goes wrong, I'll post a reply.
]
eipeks: Thanks for the reply but when I try deleting the partition, an error comes that windows cant delete this partition, it contains temperory files that are needed to complete the setup

Anyways, thanx,.. i;ll try mikes way, I Hope it works


Thanx