What is cleanist install of xp

I made 3 or 4 changes to my system when I noticed the audio had been compromised. After I spent too much time trying to repair, spy, virus, scans, roll back, uninstall. I elected to *reformat C: and reinstall XP with CD. Now audio is still compromised, and browser complications have developed. In the old days I would reformat and fdisk/mbr from floppy. I have a newer machine an it will not have anything to do with 98 and alot of older software. Can someone explain the continued associations of XP and their removal? I have a partitioned hard drive. And would like to maintain other drives as they are.

*I interpret running install over is a refresh, (uninstalling a program) just reformatting and running install is a reinstall, and (unstalling a program) reformatting plus removing all associations and running install is a clean install. Perhaps you could help me with this as well.

 

Running XP over as you put it is a re-install or repair install. XP basicly it replaces missing or damaged system files. This usually works and things are Ok again.

A clean install (The better option, IMO) basicly wipes the drive clean and reformats the drive. You can chose which partition to install the new OS to and it will leave the other partitions untouched.

 

From what I read, he formatted and installed XP.

Thats pretty clean

To the original poster: Sure you don't have hardware issues?

 

Just re-read :tired sorry.

Hopefully I help with the second part of the post.

 

The Cleanest Install of XP is simply Formating the HDD them installing it

If you have an Upgrade version of XP, Format then install, Dont install the previous version of windows, When running XP's SET Up will ask for for the previous version only to verify that you own/have it, no Key will be requested, no files will be installed.

 

No conflicts showing. But something has got to be rubbing wrong there. The audio thing started after I installed an HP printer and a drawing program. It seems like there was a couple of other things, I just don`t recall. That`s something I will probably have to resolve by good old trial and error :rolleyes . I did what is referred to as a clean install. However to me that`s more like wiping a plate with a dry paper towel and calling it clean LOL That`s when the browser thing started. I have a Smell:crap , OK Dell if I have to, laptop that I purchased from their even less scrupulous department through eBay. It came with no O/S. It does the same browser thing. Even after resolving conflicts thanks to this really geeky :clap (I mean that in the very best way possible) web site. After all we know there`s no motherboard string there. Back to this machine. When I reinstalled XP it did not ask me for a key. I think this is where the master boot record or something comes in. I have not cleaned it so I`m not going to call it a clean install. LOL You can just remind me I don`t want to eat at your house.

 

oops

 

If you didn't get asked for a key, it was not a clean install.

 

Windows XP Clean Install.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

 

Re: What is cleanest install of xp

My point. I reformated, ran install noteing no key request. I reformated, ran install still no key request. I just ran with it.

 

Yeah I came across that site when I ran clean install on dogpile.com. I scanned it then and felt like it was a simple explanation for installing XP. I appreciate your effort though.