help with windows xp installation please

[windowsxphelp]

Hi.  I have windows xp sp3 installed on my computer.  I reformatted my computer but the files did not get formatted.  How do I get rid of these files in the reformatting process.  I have tried over and over again but they remain.

thanks

[Allan]

Clearly you did not format the drive. Boot to the XP CD and when the install process begins you'll be given the option to format the drive first. Select that option and then proceed with the installation.

BTW, just a clarification of lingo - you do not format a computer or files. You format a drive or partition

[Dusty]

Welcome to the CH forums.

It sounds like you are opting to do a repair install after booting from the XP cd.  You should opt to install the OS, and reformat partitions.  You have  not given any details of your system, please read this...

Details of which files you want to delete and on which partition they reside would be helpful.

 

[Allan]

With no offense intended to Dusty, let's not make this more complicated than it is. Personally, I don't care what kind of system you have or anything about your files. Just boot to the cd, start the install, format the drive, and install the OS. It's really that simple.

[windowsxphelp]

i have figured out its because im not booting from the cd but from the xp thats already installed.  How do I set my computer up to boot from cd?

thanx

[Allan]

Correct - you MUST boot to the cd. Go into the bios and change the boot order so your cd is at the top of the list. Do not change anything else. Save the change, exit and reboot to the cd.

[Dusty]

With no offense intended to Dusty, let's not make this more complicated than it is.

Certainly no offense taken.  Perhaps I'm overly cautious in always wanting to know the environment I'm trying to advise on.  The next time someone is advised to format a recovery partition won't be the first time.

I reformatted my computer but the files did not get formatted......   i have figured out its because im not booting from the cd but from the xp thats already installed.

At the level of knowledge displayed by WinXPhelp in claiming to have formatted his/her computer it would not be a surprise if the XP cd being used is not a full install disk.  Let's hope that the advice given is correct.

Cheers & good luck.

[Allan]

Let's hope that the advice given is correct.

That's uncalled for.

[Dusty]

That's uncalled for.

A bit touchy?   We both gave much the same advice within 2 seconds of each other i.e. to boot from the XP cd and format within the install process and I still hope the advice given is correct.