Windows XP Format & Re-Install

Before You Wipe That Disk

Before you reach for the XP install disk to do a clean install of Windows, there are few things you should do to spare yourself pain later.

1.) Backup your data files. Your personal data items such as music, photos, videos, spreadsheets, text files, and anything you stored on your machine. If you keep your data on the same drive as windows, the C:\ drive, copy your files to a backup device.

If you store your data files on a seperate disk drive, disconnect or unplug the disk to avoid accidental erasure of your files.

2.) Go to the machine manufacturers website and check if they support XP. If yes download the device drivers set for your machine. If not, you have some work ahead of you.

3.) Dig out the drivers disk that came with your computer when you bought it. You thought you'd never need it and dumped it in the loft, right? Go find it.

If you built your own machine, dig out the disk that came with your Motherboard.

4.) If you don't have/can't find the drivers disk you need to identify the important components on your machine/motherboard to enable you to get the machine up and running.

5.) At the very least, a graphics driver of some kind, even a default driver.

6.) An Ethernet/LAN card driver to enable connection to the network and the Net. If you can get Net connection you can download most other drivers you will need.

7.) Go to your computer manufacturers website and download a driver set for your box.

8.) Go to the Ethernet/LAN card manufacturers website and download drivers for your device.

9.) The other devices on your machine/motherboard, you can set up once Windows is re-installed.

If you can't get video drivers, don't worry too much. XP and Vista support most common graphics chips in low resolution. So you'll still be able to use your machine, even though the desktop will look EXTRA BIG.

10.) After downloading the drivers, burn them to CD or copy them to a USB pen drive.

Now wipe the disk and go for a clean install.

Hope this helps!