Building new budget computer, and using old HDD. No floppy drive. Help me set it up?

[DJLanglois]

I am building a new budget computer for my kid brother (just something for him to use for email/web browsing/MSN, and home work).

I purchased a new budget case, mobo (w/ onboard sound, network, and graphics), and CPU. I am using some old RAM, an old CD/DVD drive, and an old HDD.

After I've got everything in place, how do I go about setting up the software (XP, etc)?

Will I need to re-partition/re-format the hard drive? Or, will it boot up and run fine as it is now (having been used about 60 months ago)?

I am just not sure whether all of the old settings and stuff will mess anything up if I try to boot up from the drive without wiping it and starting from scratch.

Now, if I *do* need to format/partition, how can I go about doing that the easiest? Please note that I do not have a floppy drive (and I would rather not go out and get one just for this).

Any help?!

 

[EQTitan]

When the system boots up...

F10 (to enter bios settings)
Find Boot priority Sequence
Change it to look for CD/DVD drive first
Exit & Save changes

Reboot with Windows XP disk in the CD/DVD
Format (not quick format either)

Do it this way as the OS/Registry currently has old settings about the last board etc.....Start fresh

 

[DJLanglois]

Thanks. I appreciate the help.

Now, I've heard nasty things about XP CDs not working as a boot disc. Is this not true?

 

[EQTitan]

I formatted mine fine for about 5 years now, even made an unattended installation disk ahhhhhhhh

 

[imported_wicka]

Originally posted by: DJLanglois
Thanks. I appreciate the help.

Now, I've heard nasty things about XP CDs not working as a boot disc. Is this not true?

No, they're made to boot from. Otherwise you couldn't install Windows . It's pretty self explanatory once it boots into the disk. It formats the drive and copies installation files over. Just make sure that you take the disk out when it reboots, otherwise it'll start from the CD and not from the drive (you'll need to put the install disc back in later on for the install to copy more files, but it'll tell you).

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

http://www.mechbgon.com/ >First time bulders guide > setting up system security.

Have your brother read it well


...Galvanized

 

[EQTitan]

Originally posted by: wicka

Originally posted by: DJLanglois
Thanks. I appreciate the help.

Now, I've heard nasty things about XP CDs not working as a boot disc. Is this not true?

No, they're made to boot from. Otherwise you couldn't install Windows . It's pretty self explanatory once it boots into the disk. It formats the drive and copies installation files over. Just make sure that you take the disk out when it reboots, otherwise it'll start from the CD and not from the drive (you'll need to put the install disc back in later on for the install to copy more files, but it'll tell you).

He doesn't need to take the disk out, when it reboots it will ask him if he wants to boot from CD / DVD just don't hit any keys it will bypass this and continue loading