Q: I popped in my WinXP Pro SP2 CD to the OS and formatting the disk to reinstall. Usually, if I put Windows XP Pro SP2 CD without, it would be my option to format the drive. But now I do not get that opportunity. How can I get my hard drive and then reinstall Windows XP Pro SP2? I have no floppy drive.
Best Answer: Not correct. You cannot upgrade an XP machine to Windows 7. You must do a clean Install.
A clean install wipes the HD "clean" and does not install over anything.
You can however save your files to an External HD. All programs and apps must be reinstalled.
Re:I will give this a try. Thanks.
Re:Yeah, when I try to delete the existing partion (where windows currently is) it tells me it cannot becuase temporary files from it are in use.
The only time that should happen is if you are running setup from Windows. If you boot off the CD, you should not get this message.
Re:Easiest way is using a HD wiping util for a second to make the current data on the drive invalid.
Grab DBAN at http://dban.sourceforge.net
Run it for a few seconds
Boot up WinXP install CD
Have fun!
Re:What about recovery console? I just ran through setup again and there was no option to format..what the? This is the weirdest problem ever.
Re:Yeah, when I try to delete the existing partion (where windows currently is) it tells me it cannot becuase temporary files from it are in use. I am trying to reinstall windows and DELETE everything on my hard drive. It has never ever been this complicated I just don't get it.
Re:Originally posted by: guy
It works fine, I get to the point where it tells me that I can create windows in the existing folder, or in the unpart. space. I select the existing folder..and usually it gives me the option to format in NTFS quick and NTFS regular. It is not giving me that option now.
I don't think so. Why would it give you the option to format if you want to install into the existing folder?
When you get the part about the existing Windows install, hit escape, and you should see the partitioning screen.
Re:What's it giving you? Are you sure you're not doing a repair install? When it shows you the partition table, usually there's a button you can press to delete.
Re:It works fine, I get to the point where it tells me that I can create windows in the existing folder, or in the unpart. space. I select the existing folder..and usually it gives me the option to format in NTFS quick and NTFS regular. It is not giving me that option now.
Re:What happens when you use the XP SP2 CD?
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