How do I delete my operating system and start over?

Question

I tried to do this by putting in the 'Windows XP' CD that came with my computer (Dell, Inspiron 1501). I chose the 'New Installation' option and came to Setup, thinking the Operating system would automatically delete itself if I reinstalled it. Instead I almost ended up installing TWO operating systems on the same partition. Fail.

So: how do I do this right? how do I delete my operating system and everything before I come to Setup? (Somewhere in the guide it says that I just need to restart the computer and then a "Press any key to boot from CD" message will appear, but it doesn't. I even tried pressing F12 but I ended up in some complicated menu-thing where I had no idea what so ever what to do.)

All help greatly appreciated!!!

Answer 1

Go to Dos prompt and type in fdisk



that will do it.

Answer 2

::make sure in your confusing f12 screen under the boot option it says DVD\CD\ROM whatever inspiron has is 1st to boot then restart::



If your CD is an actual copy of Microsoft Windows XP and not a recovery CD you will have to delete your original ruined partition.



Press any key to boot from cd... [press a key]



A blue screen should appear, this is the windows installer. It should take some time before the next screen appears. If it still recognizes your last installation it may take you to a screen that says:



'If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, setup can try and repair it.' Since what you want to do is reinstall completely hit escape.



Even if that screen doesn't appear you will eventually get to a screen saying "[PARTITION] BLAH BLAH FAT32" just select the partition that is largest...and hit the D key. During the next screen hit the L key. You want to get it to say 'Unpartitioned Space' and show the entire amount of your hard drive. Like this http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Bb457130.hb-02.4_big(en-us,TechNet.10).gif



When you get there, press enter. Then select the first option quick format. Then stick around the computer it will later prompt you for other options.



ALSO... If you happen to get through the setup is copying files and it restarts your computer, prompting you to press any key to boot from cd AGAIN do not press a key or you will just put yourself in a setup loop.



PS If it still starts the blue setup screen even without pressing a key, start the whole process again, and wait for it to finish copying setup files...then take the cd out and shutdown(or you may be doing this while you shut down) then it will load the rest of setup and prompt you to insert the cd again. another way of doing this is going into your bios the weird confusing F12 screen you mentioned again and under BOOT menu setting the first thing to boot as your IDE hard drive....After you got through the first part of setup...

Answer 3

Put the cd inthe computer.



Restart computer



wait for it to say press any key to boot from cd pres a key



it will boot from cd then you want to follow on screen instructions



you want to delete a partion when ur on the menu and format the partition using Quick NTFS or QUICK FAT after that jus let it do its job after its done copying the files it will retsrat computer and then dont press any key and it will automatically take you to the window to complete rest of the installation.



after you have installed the operating system you will need to donwload drivers and install them also because without the drivers your computer wont function properly. :D

Answer 4

Insert the recovery CD



What you need to do is to Reboot your computer, when your computer starts to reboot, start tapping the F10 key. You should get an Option for Destructive Recovery and Non Destructive recovery. Choose the Non Destructive Recovery (Not advanced) and see if that will help your problems. If it doesn't then you will need to do the Destructive recovery which will get rid of everything on your PC and put back to the way it was the day your bought it. Reformat

Answer 5

restart your computer press delete button at the start-up then go to cmos set-up menu, make the cd-rom/dvd-rom drive as 1st boot device, then save and exit. from there you can make a fresh installation, a fresh partition and fresh drive format.

Answer 6

you have to restore it.



don't do it yourself though because there are several important steps you need to take that you might not know about.



call your manufacture for assistance they will help you.



since they know how your computer works.

Answer 7

Go to start then go run

In turn type CMD



a black screen will pop up, there type in:

format c:/

Answer 8

if you want to know lets do one on one i can take you with the proccess if you want contact me if you want. a lot to write