Reinstalling XP problems

I want to reformat my hard drive and have inserted the Windows XP cd in [a] DVD RAM drive DVD\CD-RW drive. As the computer boots I get the message "press any key to boot from cd" but pressing any key does nothing and the machine continues to boot as normal. I have gone into the BIOS and made the first boot "CDROM" which was the only option that seemed sensible.

I tried running the Windows XP cd from my Computer but if I select "install Windows XP" I then get the mesage "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD".

How can I reformat?

 

I have Windows XP SP3 Home Edition. The cd has 2002 on the cd itself and the Release Documentation on the cd is 2001.

 

Yes, sorry I missed that off. It does says "Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 3" on my Computer>Properties>General.

 

you don't want it to go to boot up so try starting the computer with the cd in the drive don't touch any keys and see if it goes into the setup installation by its self

 

Unless someone knows a better Idea, you are probally gonna have to format your computer with 3rd party software then reinstall Xp. Xp just won't let you down grade to a older verson.

It wants you to keep what you have. Is there a way you can fix the one you have? Is there a problem that can be fixed with out a complete reinstall?

Normally a reinstall is a last resort you wanna do. You may wanna consider trying to fix what you have. Just a Idea.

 

if you have a floppy disk drive you can download the necessary files you need to make a xp boot disk on floppys. you will have reset your bios to boot from the floppy drive first,you will also need 6 disc's for the program if you do it this way ensure to mark each disc in sequence dis 1 disc 2 ect.also when downloading ensure you download the files that correspond with the xp cd you have ie:xp home or pro, sp1 or sp2.you can download these files from here " http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994 " just follow the instuction and you will be on your way.

 

Thanks for all your replies. One of the reasons for wanting to reformat was that email messages were hanging in the outbox for ages (well up to 45 seconds). Another problem was when I shut down it didn't respond, but the second time I tried it would shut down. I think that all your thought have influenced my computer because today the emails go out of the outbox immediately and the computer shuts down first time! So I think I will leave it alone for the moment. A friend has suggested that the easiest answer is to buy a new hard drive as they are so cheap these days and keep the old one as a slave, which I may do if the problems return.

 

The easiest way to accomplish this (booting from the XP CD for a clean install) is to simply delete the partition on drive C: using a bootable 3rd party utility (there's tons of 'em). Then when the PC is booted up with the XP disc in the CD drive, it will not ask to press any key; it will automatically start the set up process because the drive is blank. To erase the partition use one of the following:
http://majorgeeks.com/Ultimate_Boot_CD_Basic_d4019.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Ultimate_Boot_CD_Full_d4981.html
http://majorgeeks.com/CPM_Cute_Partition_Manager_d5369.html
http://majorgeeks.com/EASEUS_Partition_Manager_Home_Edition__d6006.html (excellent!!)
http://majorgeeks.com/GParted_d5757.html
There are others, but one of those should be fine, and these are all 100% free. Do not format the partition using one of these tools; just delete the partition. When the XP disc is booted, it performs a quick hard drive check. If any file system is detected, you'll get the "Press any key..." message. If no file system is recognized, the CD will just boot up and start the install process.

[dlb]
:-D