reinstalling XP

[arlene]

I have XP, new copy fron 2001
when I start up I get a black screan and says
Primary hard diskdrive 1 not found
I press F1 to continue and windows starts , I log on and get error box that says
smss.exe cannot be run in Win 32 mode

I've reinstalled from istallation CD
I've reinstalled drivers from driver cd
From device manager I've repaired and updated drivers
uninstalled and reinstalled them

still same 2 messages

Also could you tell me how to get to the start box that I can select and deselect the programs that I want to start up when windows starts

Thanks
arlene

[Broni]

I've reinstalled from istallation CD

Was it clean install, or over the top?

Also could you tell me how to get to the start box that I can select and deselect the programs that I want to start up when windows starts

You can't  do this until you'll get into Windows.

[arlene]

I did both clean install and over the top.  Neither worked.  When I clean install I want to know that I have everything erased and I didn't know how to tell if I did.  At this point, I want to completely erase and start over. 

I can get into Windows of I click F1, so I want to know how to get to the start box shere programs are listed that begin at startup.

[Broni]

When I clean install I want to know that I have everything erased and I didn't know how to tell if I did.

When you go with clean install, using Windows XP CD, you'll want to remove all partitions, when asked, create a new partition, when asked, and format, when asked. All those questions are being asked during Windows installation.

I want to know how to get to the start box shere programs are listed that begin at startup.

You can:
1. Go Start>Run, type in: msconfig. Hit Enter. Look at "Startup" tab.
Better yet,
2. Download "Autoruns" (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Utilities/AutoRuns.mspx), click on "Logon" tab.

[arlene]

Thank you for speaking so clearly.
When I reinstall from my original OS CD it doesn't take me through all those steps.  I follow from the manual and nothing is the same as what the manual says.  It's like I have a some foregh OS when I go to DOS.  I had service pack but I deleted it.  Did that mess things up?

How do you know if you need a new hard drive?

[Broni]

First of all, I don't know what manual you are referring to.
Secondly, do you have Windows XP CD, or Recovery CD.
If it's Windows XP CD, follow steps from this manual:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
At step 5, you'll want to:

The screen will now list all existing partitions and un-partitioned space for each hard disk. Use the cursor/arrow keys to select existing partition(s) (if you see more, then one). Press D to delete an existing partition. If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must then press L to confirm that you want to delete that partition. Repeat this process for each of the existing partitions in order to create your new partition. When all partitions are deleted, you can then select the remaining un-partitioned space and then press C to create new partitions.