Getting Started
While you're in Windows, insert your Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD drive. Let the CD auto play. And choose "To set up Windows now press ENTER". On the next screen choose "To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows...press "ESC". This is what you want to do. So press the ESC key and choose C:\Windows "Microsoft Windows XP Home" (or "Microsoft Windows XP Professional if you have the PRO version) as the directory to which you want to install Windows XP. You'll get a stern warning about installing two operating systems on the same partition. We don't care. So continue with the install :)

Remember - A fresh installation will wipe out ALL of your data. That means EVERYTHING .Once started, the setup program will run on auto-pilot for the most part so once you get to this stage it will be too late to save any data. Whatever you didn't save before is gone. But you'll have to stick around because you will be required to enter the 25 digit Windows key (it will be on a sticker on the back of your computer - most likely). After Setup is nearly complete you'll need to give your computer a name, choose your time zone, etc.  You  can install additional features and change any of your choices anytime after Windows XP is completely installed.

 

Click the image for larger view	The Black Screen - The beginning of the Windows Installation. This shows windows is checking your computer. It's still not too late to back out of the installation at this point...in case you forgot to save some important files.
Click the image for larger view	Welcome To Setup Here's the screen where you have choices to make. You want to install a fresh copy of Windows - this will remove your previous version of Windows and ALL your files. Press Enter
Click the image for larger view	Where to install When you see this screen look for your current installation. That's where you want to install the fresh copy of Windows. Look for C:\Windows "Microsoft Windows XP Home" or "Microsoft Windows Professional" and install it there. You'll get a warning about installing a second operating system on a partition with an operating system already installed. Ignore it.
	Auto-Pilot. You've done it! Once you see the Windows "ad" screens like this you know you're on the way. All you have to do now is follow the onscreen prompts and in 20 to 30 minutes you'll be starting a whole new installation of Windows.

After Windows XP's setup is done and you're booted into Windows, the first thing you'll need to do is reinstall your drivers from your drivers disk. If you discover you don't have one at this point, it will be too late. So we suggest you download a program to backup your drivers before you start the fresh install of Windows. There are two we recommend. One is called "My Drivers" and its' not free, but the free trial will function long enough to get you through this installation (and you should purchase it after that if it worked well for you). The other, called Double Drivers is free. For information about My Drivers click here. And for Double Drivers visit this page.

After your drivers are reinstalled, the next thing you'll want to do is install a good anti-virus. You don't need to spend a dime or pay ransom each year to keep your computer protected. We suggest AVAST which you can get free from http://www.avast.com/ (Free for home/personal use). Then install a good firewall (check out Kerio - http://sunbeltsoftware.com/. Then install two good anti-spyware programs. We recommend Spyware Doctor (commercial software) and Spybot Search and Destroy (free). After you've completed these tasks you can start installing your normal programs (Microsoft Office, etc.) and moving your important documents and files back onto you new computer from wherever you saved them.