reformatting hard drive

I currently have Windows ME. I am going to be installing Windows XP Pro. However, it is not just an upgrade kit, it is the complete program. I was told I have to reformat the hard drive before I can install XP. Can anyone give me instructions for how to reformat the hard drive? I would like to see if I can do this myself before I have to pay someone else to do it.
My computer is an HP Pavillion.

 

I recommend printing this before getting started.

Just enter bios and go to boot sequence (usually under advanced settings) and see to it that you have your cd-rom as your first boot option. this will make the computer look for startup files on the cd before looking at the harddrive.

Then just insert your windows cd in the cd-rom and reboot the computer. After a while you should get the line 'Press any key to start from CD', then just hit any key. Let it work through all the readings and stuff it goes through.

Then you'll get your first set of choices. Choose 'Install windows now', then read and understand every line before choosing what suits you best. I cannot remember all the choices but you want to erase the partition with the existing windows installation, then create a new partition, using all space from the old (now erased) partition (will show as 'free space' or 'unallocated space').

Eventually you'll get an option where you can format the harddrive with 4 options:

...with NTFS (fast)
...with FAT32 (fast
...with NTFS
...with FAT32

In case you're interested the (fast) option just re-writes the file allocation table (everything on the drive will be lost but not erased, could seem a bit confusing, it's a long story) whilst the slow option re-writes the entire drive, erasing everything on it. I recommend using the slow option.

Then the installation should just go on and eventually give you the language and network etc options. The most important thing is to read and understand before making a choice. You're not going to screw up bigtime with this, this is nothing devestating, it can always be corrected. But if you're uncertain it's always better to ask to avoid more work than needed.

 

Can you clarify the first step...want to make sure I go to exactly the right places. Where do I enter bios?

I don't have the origional copy of the program to read any directions. I was given this copy of XP so that I can upgrade for my business and schooling (ans so I can install Microsoft Office). So any and all info is appreciated!!

 

1. Reboot your computer
2. As soon as the screen lights up press first Esc then F1 (if F1 doens't work, redo and press F10 or F12), this should take you into bios
3. Go to the menu option 'Boot' (should be this on your pc)
4. Select the following order using the arrow keys and enter key

1st boot device: CDROM, 2nd: Harddisk (could say HDD-0), whatever comes after that is irrelevant.

Now continue from 'insert cd'.

 

try tapping the delete key also

 

was about to say the same thing when I found this info

 

I got one question with all this, what are you going to do for sound,video and nic drivers?

Some HP,s store the os on a seperate partition on the hard drive and you are to make your own cd's in case you need to reinstall windows. Once made the cd's contain the drivers but you need to run them in a certain order and I don't think you can sort thru them and find the drivers let alone they work with XP.

Xp as well as windows update may have drivers built in that will work but maybe not.

Just wanted to make you aware of this, common problem when switching os on brand computers

Rick

 

Problem solved:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/ProductList.jsp?locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodSeriesId=46143&prodTypeId=12454

 

Thanks.

I checked the driver updates too (it's a Pavillion XE 783) and it looks like the only one I would need would be for the printer, but I have just purchased a new printer so I probably won't even need that.

I assume I will need to create a backup disk for all of My Documents and photos, etc. correct?

 

HMMM, I checked the Hp site and I didn't see a download for your model and windows Xp just other os. I did see xp upgrade info and it said NOTE: The information in this document does not apply to HP Pavilion Desktop PCs that came factory-installed with the Windows Me operating system.
I take this to mean the ME drivers will work like if you did a upgrade but not sure and why ain't they listed on the main page for Pavillion XE 783 unde windows XP

Rick

 

That's because it says Windows XP has all the necessary drivers already built-in. As jeganbag says himself - the only driver's he would need would be the ones for the printer and since he replaced his printer then well...

 

Ah, I didn't see that but sorta what I thought, thanks for pointing that out.

Rick

 

jeganbag is a she, thank you very much

I'm attempting to do this all this weekend, so I may be back if I have any further questions!!

 

Re: reformatting hard drive--MORE HELP PLEASE!!!

OK, here's what has happened. I wnt to BIOS, made all the Boot adjustments, inserted my XP disk, restarted, and it started up into Me like it normally does. Didn't even try to install anything.

I know I was told I have to reformat the hard disk before I can install the XP program I was given. It will not do it on its own. So is that the step I am missing? What else do I need to do?

 

make sure you save the changes before exiting the BIOS. if you put CD Rom first it will boot fist

 

I did save. I chose the option, save changes and exit. CD Rom is the first option on the Boot list. But the hard disk is not being reformatted, and nothing is installing. Can I manually reformat the hard disk?

 

You set the CD-Rom as PRIMARY or FIRST boot device?

 

CD Rom is on the top of (the first thing on) the list. I am not sure otherwise.

 

There is a way to manually reformat the drive, but you shouldn't need to.

One quick question before you go any farthe.

Does this copy of XP that you were given have the product key with it?

Also was it installed on any previous computer?

 

Yes, it has a product key with it, but I do not know if it was ever installed anywhere else. This copy was from a co-worker's brother, who works from home in computer repair. He knew that I could not really afford the program, but it was necessary to have if I needed to install Office. (I am taking classes in Word and Excel and don't have those programs.) So he said he would create a copy of it for me. I am not computer illeterate, but am not an expert either. The only instructions given to me was that I would have to reformat my hard drive before installing. If I send my computer to him, I will have to pay, and I am just flat broke right now.....and classes start Tuesday.

 

Do you have more than one cd-rom type drive?

 

only one CD Rom. It was preinstalled.

 

copies of xp won't boot.
go to the microsoft web site, look for and download the set of 6 floppies used to startup the install.
then, the xp cd will finish the install

kj
computer corrections
cookson, ok

 

That's right, I didn't think to ask if you had the boot disk for XP. You'll need one to format in the NTFS file system.

 

I found the downloads...which one do I want? http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/results.aspx?productID=&freetext=boot+disk&DisplayLang=en

Can I download it onto a CD? My A drive doesn't work for floppies. I am doing this internet stuff from my parents computer (and they don't even have a floppy drive!), mine is not hooked up to the internet right now.

Would this all be better for me to just break down and buy the program myself? Or CAN this be done?

 

if you just made a copy to copy you can have problems with it but if you made a real copy (as in image to copy) you ahould have no problems with it. but I'd say there is a cd problem since it definitely should boot if it can find start files on the cd.

there's a risk you'll end up with a formatted drive and a cd that won't start to install. I'd look around for another cd if I were you.

oh and forgive me my error, I won't forget you're a she