How can I remove Windows xp from my laptop

Discussion in 'Software' started by balloo, Jan 26, 2011.

  1. balloo

    balloo Private E-2

    Hi I have been given an older laptop from my son but it has got Windows XP Home on it with no disks I asked my son if he had any but he said that its was in the spare roomof the old house before he moved. :) now he doesn't know where its gone. Anyway I have a new version of Windows XP Professional i would like to install on it so I have a licence and a 100% legal copy. How do i go about taking it off I tried to just put the XP Pro in but it wouldn't take it.
    Any/All advice welcome for a old non techie PC Dummy who Promises to be better and help you all in the next life :-o
     
  2. brandypeppy

    brandypeppy MajorGeek

    Did you change the BIOS to boot from the CD/DVD first?

    If you have any questions about entering the BIOS, follow this link HERE

    Converesly, why do you want to replace the OS? You can also get help here on tuning that up.
     
  3. balloo

    balloo Private E-2

    Thought it would be better all round also its only got a 512mb of ram and as my son his wife who runs a forum it must be close to full.and at least i would have a disk to fall back on. I use revo uninstaller and it uninstalles at the advanced setting so one day the pc will stop or start running slow.
     
  4. brandypeppy

    brandypeppy MajorGeek

    Then reformat and install the XP PRO. As I said, you will need to set the BIOS to boot from the optical drive FIRST.

    But it will never be very good with only 512M of RAM. Goto crucial.com to scan your system and find recommended upgrades, I'd put in at least a Gig, more if you can afford it. VERY simple to install, post back here if you're not sure what to do. Lot's of U-tube videos available on this subject.

    Others...feel free to chime in if I have missed anything regarding installing PRO on a home XP machine. Haven't worked that much with PRO.
     
  5. balloo

    balloo Private E-2

    Looked at the Bios settings instructions from that link you gave I was totaly confused it was saying press Pause Break and to be honest i dont know where to find that button :-o
     
  6. brandypeppy

    brandypeppy MajorGeek

    And what is the make/model of your machine?

    Pause/break is used just to stop when the text is being displayed too fast. By itself, that won't get you into the BIOS settings. But you should find that key on the top row next to the function keys.

    Also, how big is your hard drive? And how much free space is left? Double click on the My Computer icon to find this information.
     
  7. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Once you get into the bios, you need to click on the Boot Order tab ....use the arrow keys. Then change the boot order to have the cd drive be the first boot device. Insert you XP Pro disc and reboot. That will get you to having the "boot to cd" window where you press enter.
     

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds