I installed XP from a Dell resource cd and upgraded from Me. Now, there are multiple problems ( I posted this here before and cudnt get a satisfactory answer). I cant access internet, XP has screwed up something and does not let me go online (i have roadrunner cable connection). When i type ipconfig /all at dos prompt, it gives the mac address as ff-ff-ff-ff-ff so on........ which prolly means that nic card and cable modem are not talking properly (or does it means something else???). I tried formatting my hard drive and it doesnt let me do that. I tried putting win 2k cd, but no luck..... it says XP wont allow to downgrade ....... I tried putting Me cd and it didnt work either...... On Top of everything I have to deal with the stupid activation thing....... I'm real fix now! My questions are - 1. Is there any way to fix the mac address problem and get back to roadrunner?? 2. If i succeed with that, is there a way around for bypassing activation thing... I mean i agree i took a pirated copy. 3. If i fail with above two, how to format my hard drive (in XP)?? 4. How to install any other OS, most likely win2k (whose legal copy I have!) or my last option - windows Me (whose resource cd I have, since i bought my compu from Dell). Please help with any of these issues.... I'm gonna keep writing untill i get some help. I'm really paralyzed rite now..... and utterly frustrated...........

Look at this site on how to access the Recovery Console from the XP cd. http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm You want to use the DELETE command to wipe out the current XP installation. Then use DISKPART and FORMAT to create and format new partitions. Or use a 98 startup floppy to use fdisk if you're more comfortable with that.

Well, where to start. First off, if your going to pirate something, pirate something good. Not WinXP Home edition. Second, you can not "downgrade" to anything else. If you installed XP as an upgrade, you might have selected "yes" to the little question that asked if you would like to create a backup so you can uninstall xp later. The way to check this, if I'm not mistaken, is to click your start bar, click on control panel, click "add remove programs". If you selected the correct option, you should be able to find "Remove Win XP" or something like that on the list. No if you can't get that, and you really want to format, then listen up. Grab your old WinMe boot disk. (there may be many other ways to do this, but this seems to be the easiest way). Put the boot disk in your drive and reboot. When prompted, select "load without cd support". This is faster and you won't be using the cd now. after everthing loads you will end up on your a: drive. Type, without the quotes "format c:" There are other options you could add, the the /u feature, but we want to keep it simple and tothe point. Select Yes when it asks if your sure. Go use the John and watch some t.v. and come back in a few minutes. Next it will ask you to enter a Volume label. Put whatever you want there and press enter. When all is said and done, reboot with the WinMe boot disk in the drive and the WinMe CD in your CD drive and select "boot with CD support". I don't remember if you can boot to your WinMe cd or not, and I dont' know if you BIOS is set to boot to CD. So we're doing it this way. Once your cd drives load and your a: prompt show up, find out what drive letter your cd drive is. I think it might be d:, e: or f:, just type "setup" and if it doesn't work, move on to the next drive letter. Once setup is running you should be in the clear. I went with the format option because XP home really is a crappy product. And I don't know a way around the Activation issue.

Thanx Ger, It wud take sometime to go over the suggested website. In the meantime (if u have time) cud u pls explain me how to go back to windows me or 2k from xp?? I do not want to create a partition. Just want to keep my good ol' C: drive and keep one OS (me or 2k). Can i use a 98 boot disk? put it in my box, boot the system, run fdisk and then put the 2k cd for fresh install?? I guess i need to go to bios and change my boot disk setting to CD? Could you pls email me the response?? thanx

Thanx Lostman, I think u laid it out very well, I wud try to emulate it and keep my fingers crossed. Wud send u a thanku note after i'm done...

Although lostman's reply is exceptionaly good,one can't help wondering why you didn't just do a clean instal of Xp from the start,I'am quite sure you wouldn't have one have of the problems your having. So a word to others who are contemplating doing a upgrade, DON'T, clean instal is the only way, Cheers Alan

When I first got XP, I did an upgrade, and I was able to recover back simply by using the Uninstall Windows XP feature.... But I agree with the others, clean install or no install is the way to go.