... and re-partition my hard drive when my computer (HP) does not have floppy drives?

I want to reformat so that all the 'garbage', etc.. . along with a scrambled 'Recovery' option are totally eliminated. I've been using the XP Home recovery disk but it installs an awful lot of unnecessary programs... and after uninstalling them, there is still lots of 'garbage' left behind on the hd.

I read in an earlier outdated posting a response that W98 will accomplish this; but just want to make sure.

Would W2000 also work? If so, I prefer to use it over 98 since it's inner workings is pretty much the same as XP.

And when I do this, will there be any remmants of the old XP installation, and damaged Recovery section still on the hd?
Thanks

You will need a legal copy of XP (or 2K) to do this. You can then boot to the CD and repartition and install the OS.

BEFORE you do this, you need to make sure you have drivers for all your hardware and install disks for any software you want to install.

You will need a legal copy of XP (or 2K) to do this. You can then boot to the CD and repartition and install the OS.

BEFORE you do this, you need to make sure you have drivers for all your hardware and install disks for any software you want to install.



Thanks Scott. I have legal copies of both... sort of.

My XP Pro version recently ran out of times to install... as a result of over zealous 'clean up' & reformat processes over the years since it came out on my part.

So rather than having to hassle with Microsoft, for the activation process, and with the understanding that the new version will be out zoon, I'd rather just go back to my W2000 version.

Chuck

XP doesn't run out of times to install. A simple phone call to Microsoft will allow activation.

XP doesn't run out of times to install. A simple phone call to Microsoft will allow activation.


Yes, I'm aware of that. And... been there... done that. Just don't like having to stay on the line for what seems like hours; and don't much care to have to fight to try and understand the accent the Indians, or whoever gets the call.

But now looks like I'll have to do it again. Darn! Just finished W2000 first but could not figure out how to make our router and internet satelitte system get activated; whereas XP does it automatically.

So put XP on; and now have double systems; which I do not want... and am also getting the 30 day notice.

Oh well.. .
Chuck