Performing a clean install of XP

Performing a clean install of XP.
This can be a intimidating thing if you are not sure what you are doing. The truth is it is not as hard as you may think. The computer will do most of the work, it just needs you to answer some questions and make a couple of choices. So lets get started. First of all be sure that you back up any thing you may want to keep, pics, docs, installation files of a program you may have downloaded. The point is be sure to save any thing you want to keep that you don't have a copy of because this process will erase all the data on your hard drive. First your PC must be able to boot from the CD. If you know your PC will do this skip down to (put your Windows XP CD in the CD drive)
Start your computer and look for a message that says "Press [usually F2, Esc or Delete Key] to Enter Setup". This message may only appear for a second.
Quickly press this key. If you aren't able to move fast enough wait until Windows completely loads then restart the computer. This time as soon as the computer restart rapitley tap the key on your keyboard that you saw in Step. 2. Now that we are in the BIOS. We want to change the settings of the computer so that it boots from the CD rather than from the floppy and hard drive first.
In some Bios you'll want to select "Advanced Setup" by moving the arrow on your keyboard and then hitting the Enter key when you arrive on the Entry.
Try to follow the directions on the screen until the "CDROM" or is the 1st Boot Device or appears on top of the order. This might take some experimentation to figure out, but this is the hardest part of the XP installation but once you get the CDROM set to first boot the rest of the installation is pretty easy. After you set up the CDROM for booting, you want to save your settings and exit the BIOS. This is done by hitting F10 on your keyboard. Before you do this, be sure to put your Windows XP CD in the CD drive
The PC will now Boot from the XP CD. Look for the message "Press any Key to boot from CD usually located at the bottom of the screen.'Press Any Key"

Setup will start copying files, if you need to install any third-party or RAID drivers press F6 at this time. The copying of files can take awhile.
Next you will get the option to repair or enter setup, choose to enter setup. Press ENTER. Press F8 if you agree to the license.You must press F8 to continue. Setup will scan for previous Windows installations.
If you are using the upgrade version of XP on a computer without any version of Windows currently installed, this is where you will replace the XP CD with your qualifying CD, XP setup will scan the qualifying CD and instruct you to replace it with the XP CD to continue XP setup; otherwise, you will not see this screen. Clean install qualifying media can be any of the following Win NT3.51, 4.0, 2000, Win 95, 98, Me. Choose the location to install. If the hard drive or partition has a previous installation of XP you want to remove it, choose to delete the partition by pressing "D". You will then be prompted to create a new partition in the empty space. This will remove all data from the deleted space.Choose the NTFS file system from this screen.
Select F to continue. Setup will show a progress box and reboot when copying files is complete. When you see the "Press any Key to boot from CD" DO NOTHING.this time let it boot from the hard drive.
From this point, you will follow the on screen prompts. If you live outside the US, you will probably need to modify the default settings. Personalize your XP Enter your Name and Organization.
Enter the CD Key. The Key is located on the back of the CD folder in the Retail versions, and on a holographic label with the OEM versions purchased with a piece of hardware. Write this key down and secure it in a safe place in case the original is misplaced destroyed through natural causes or stupidity. Choose a name for the computer, this should be a unique name for the computer, especially if it is to be connected to a network. In Pro, you are given the option of creating a password or leaving it blank.
Set your Time Zone and Time and Date.
Setup will scan for network.
If detected you will have the choice to choose a typical configuration or custom. Choose typical if you are unsure. For home you will choose your workgroup, if a network is already established and you intend to connect to it, use the existing workgroup name, otherwise, I suggest using the default.The same goes for Pro as suggested for Home, but you will have the choice to join a Domain, if you do not have a Domain or do not know leave blank.
Setup will continue and reboot when completed ignore the "Press Any Key".
The loading XP window will now display after reboot.
You will see a change display settings, say yes, and accept the setting if you can see the screen after accepting. You will see a welcome screen, press next and unfortunately you have to wait for the dialog to finish. Set up you internet or network connection.
This is the Activate, Register screen. You must activate within 30 days of installing XP, but you do not ever have to register, Registration is completely optional and if you do not register, no personal information will be transmitted during activation. If you register, then activation will transmit that information along with the activation. The first Activation is usually done over the internet if the computer is connected to the internet, otherwise, it can be accomplished by copying the alphanumeric string from the activation screen and make a phone call to the on screen supplied phone number. The activation center will then give you a slightly longer number to input into for activation. I suggest you do not activate immediately in case you need to make hard ware changes, or install to a different system within the thirty days, and you will be reminded on boot up until you do.Setup users screen. Set at least one user for yourself or the person that will be using the computer. Logon to XP and Install your anti-virus software. Apply Service Pack and Critical updates from Windows Update before installing any software or hardware. Very important to avoid worms! Install all applications and setup your email. Good Luck and Have Fun.