Problems loading XP Pro

I recently picked up a Sony Vaio Laptop. Bought it off a relative and it
had some major spyware problems as well as a few other problems not found.
Managed to fix most problems, however while attempting an upgrade to Pro,
setup hangs while loading devices. Really, just restarts at that point.
Have had thoughts of reformatting hdd, however don't really know where to
begin. XP Pro is an OEM upgrade CD, and the lastest versions of any windows
I have will be 95 or 95B. Any help would be helpful.

TIA
Shawn Aquino

If you acquired an OEM version of Windows XP,
you'll have to perform a "clean install".

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

=== Accessing Motherboard BIOS
=== http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

7. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

8. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"grafter" wrote in message:
...

|I recently picked up a Sony Vaio Laptop. Bought it off a relative and it
| had some major spyware problems as well as a few other problems not found.
| Managed to fix most problems, however while attempting an upgrade to Pro,
| setup hangs while loading devices. Really, just restarts at that point.
| Have had thoughts of reformatting hdd, however don't really know where to
| begin. XP Pro is an OEM upgrade CD, and the lastest versions of any windows
| I have will be 95 or 95B. Any help would be helpful.
|
| TIA
| Shawn Aquino

There's no such thing as an "OEM" upgrade on any Windows Product. As
Carey pointed out, you'll need to do a clean install or go buy a
"Retail" XP Upgrade (Home or Pro).

--

Star Fleet Admiral Q @ your service
--------------------------------------------------------
"grafter" wrote in message
...
I recently picked up a Sony Vaio Laptop. Bought it off a relative
and it
had some major spyware problems as well as a few other problems not
found.
Managed to fix most problems, however while attempting an upgrade to
Pro,
setup hangs while loading devices. Really, just restarts at that
point.
Have had thoughts of reformatting hdd, however don't really know
where to
begin. XP Pro is an OEM upgrade CD, and the lastest versions of any
windows
I have will be 95 or 95B. Any help would be helpful.

TIA
Shawn Aquino