Questions about reinstalling Windows XP

[Zer0II]

Join Date: Mar 2005
Help reinstalling Windows XP without any drivers, etc. backup disks
I've been wanting to reinstall Windows for some time now. My only problem has been that I haven't had the necessary disks to do it, and I've never done it before so I'm a little nervous about doing it. I was informed that I would need to reinstall all the necessary software, drivers, etc. I don't have any of the original disks that came with my computer. They are all long gone now. I do have a Dell drivers and utilities disk that I borrowed from someone, but we have different models of Dells. I figured that I couldn't use it since we would probably have different hardware installed. I downloaded Everest so that I could see what all I currently have on my system, only I don't know what I need to backup. Could someone tell me what I need to backup to disk as far as drivers and anything else needed for a clean reinstallation of Windows XP? I know a lot of you all will probably try to discourage me from formatting and reinstalling, but please don't. I didn't come here to get discouraged. I came here to try and learn how to do it. I mostly just want to know what all I need to burn to disk as far as drivers are concerned and anything else that I might need for the reinstallation. I know that you all don't know exactly what hardware I have in my computer and who made it. I can look on Everest and see who made it and where the manufacturer's website is. I don't know what all I need drivers for is what I'm saying. I don't know if I need anything other than drivers either. For example someone told me that I needed stuff for the motherboard. I had no idea that I would need anything for the motherboard until they told me. I just want to be sure that I get everything that I need before I proceed with the reinstall. I hope all that made sense.

 

[MrChad]

First off, welcome to the forum.

If these are Dell PCs with their original OEM parts, you should be able to download the drivers from Dell's website. Just enter your service tag number, and Dell will present you with the latest drivers for each of your hardware components. It might be a good idea to write down the models of your video card, sound card, and network card anyway, in case Dell's site lists drivers for multiple brands.

The most important thing that you want to backup is your data. Email, documents, internet favorites, saved games, etc. Make sure you have good backups of all of those things, and verify that you can access and read your backup copies on a different machine prior to formatting.

Once you have your backups complete and verified, follow the following steps.

1. If your XP cd does not include SP2, follow these instructions to slipstream SP2 onto your CD. This means that SP2 will already be installed on your system after you reformat. You'll be protected from pre-SP2 worms, and it will save you time updating. (Note: slipstreaming will require the SP2 network installation package).

2. Reboot your PC with your XP setup disc in the drive. When the system first boots (during the stage when it is checking memory), you should be able to press F12 to list some boot options, including Boot from CD.

3. This guide should help you through XP setup.

4. Once you are in windows, install your network card drivers and visit Windows Update. Make sure all critical updates are installed. Then install your remaining drivers.

Good luck!