I wish to just have a clean install of windows XP. I have the XP (pro) disc and am ready to install, but of the install menu it says "upgrade or new installation" but in the new installation info it says that some of my existing data and files may me lost. But I wish all of my existing data and files to be deleted. Do I need to format my drive then do a new installation? But if I format will i be then able to use and install windows XP (CD)?, or will the new install just format my drive?

Just make sure you can boot off the CD drive in your BIOS. Then put the CD in and restart the computer. Then you will be able to format before installing windows. Use NTFS unless you are going to dual boot an older operating system.

just click "yes" it going to delete all the files that is in windows

Don't bother with booting from a CD. It can be a pain sometimes. Just downloaded the boot disk creator from Microsoft.

Hi, Go to the below address for making a bootable disk. you can get from microsofts website Home Edition http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?releaseid=33290 Pro Edition http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?releaseid=33291

I think I can boot from the CD rom, so should I still use the boot discs? Do I just go into my BIOS and change it so my CDROM is booted first? Say I can do it so my CDROM boots or I make boots discs, do I then format my computer( how do i do this?) So then windows wont be here anymore, then turn off my computer. Turn back on place the XP CDROM in (or boot discs) and I will be able to install windows XP from stratch. Can someone please tell me how to format my drive. Thanks

You can have your cd rom as the first boot device or second or third, it don't matter. Just make sure the WinXP bootable CD is in your CD rom when you boot up. Once the startup screen kicks in you'll be given options to format in NTFS. Just make sure your drive is already formatted in at least Fat 32. If not, make a bootable floppy from win 98 and format in Fat32 from that floppy first.