How do you do a clean install for Windows XP?

Answer 1

First, back up all your data on to an external hard drive or DVDs, or transfer it to another computer with a flash drive or over the internet. Make sure that everything you want is off the hard drive, then restart your computer.

Before the Windows XP screen comes up, it will probably say, "Press delete to enter setup". Press delete when this comes up, and reconfigure your boot devices so that your CD drive is #1. Then, exit and save changes, and put your Windows XP CD into your CD drive, and it will come up, saying, "Press any key to continue". Press a key, and your installation will begin.

When the setup begins, it will ask you to format your hard drive. If you know that your disc is fine, do the quick format (using NTFS). This is if you know your hard drive doesn't have any errors. However, if it is a new drive, do the normal format (NTFS). This might take a while, depending on how big your hard drive is.

After its done formatting, it will guide you through the XP Setup. Once you are done that, your hard drive will be perfectly clean and XP will be installed.