WinXP Clean Install?

[Sid]

For this, I've followed the recommended route and first
set the primary boot to cd-rom from BIOS, and then tried
to delete the existing partition during XP setup (which
has Windows 2000 Professional). However, it retorts with
an error message along the lines of:
"Cannot delete partition b/c it contains files which are
required for Windows XP setup".

Could someone PLEASE help me on successfully completing a
cleanINSTALL of Windows XP, i.e. getting rid of the
former Windows 2000 Professional OS and starting afresh
with Windows XP?

I'm at wit's end here...

Thank You.

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Sid;
Boot to the Windows XP CD, do not start with the Windows XP CD
inserted from the Desktop.

Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key and follow the
prompts for a Clean installation:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase all data on the
hard drive.
Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.

If your computer was shipped with Windows XP, these procedures may or
may not apply.
Check your manual or contact the computer manufacturer for more
details.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"Sid" > wrote in message
...
> For this, I've followed the recommended route and first
> set the primary boot to cd-rom from BIOS, and then tried
> to delete the existing partition during XP setup (which
> has Windows 2000 Professional). However, it retorts with
> an error message along the lines of:
> "Cannot delete partition b/c it contains files which are
> required for Windows XP setup".
>
> Could someone PLEASE help me on successfully completing a
> cleanINSTALL of Windows XP, i.e. getting rid of the
> former Windows 2000 Professional OS and starting afresh
> with Windows XP?
>
> I'm at wit's end here...
>
> Thank You.

[Lewis]

Blow away HDD first. Use floppy boot disk and fdisk it.

"Sid" > wrote in message
...
> For this, I've followed the recommended route and first
> set the primary boot to cd-rom from BIOS, and then tried
> to delete the existing partition during XP setup (which
> has Windows 2000 Professional). However, it retorts with
> an error message along the lines of:
> "Cannot delete partition b/c it contains files which are
> required for Windows XP setup".
>
> Could someone PLEASE help me on successfully completing a
> cleanINSTALL of Windows XP, i.e. getting rid of the
> former Windows 2000 Professional OS and starting afresh
> with Windows XP?
>
> I'm at wit's end here...
>
> Thank You.