Clean Windows Installation

Perform a clean install of Windows XP
A clean installation consists of removing all data from your hard disk by repartitioning and reformatting your hard disk and reinstalling the operating system and programs to an empty (clean) hard disk.
To perform a clean installation of Windows XP, follow these steps:
1.) Back up all important information before you perform a clean installation of Windows XP. Save the backup to an external location, such as a CD or external hard disk.
2.) Start your computer from the Windows XP CD. To do this, insert the Windows XP CD into your CD drive or DVD drive, and then restart your computer.
When you see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press any key to start the computer from the Windows XP CD.
3.) At the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to start Windows XP Setup.
4.) Read the Microsoft Software License Terms, and then press F8.
5.) Follow the instructions on the screen to select and format a partition where you want to install Windows XP.
6.) Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Windows XP Setup.

To install Windows Vista by performing a clean installation
You can use the following procedure when performing a clean installation of a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows Vista.
Perform a clean installation if your computer has no operating system installed, or you want to delete your current operating system and replace it with Windows Vista, or you want to partition your hard disk and install Windows Vista on a specific partition.
1.) Turn on your computer, insert the Windows installation disc into the computer's DVD or CD drive, and then do one of the following:
• If your computer already has an operating system installed, and if you do not want to create, extend, delete, or format partitions, go to step 2.
• If your computer does not have an operating system installed or if you want to create, extend, delete, or format partitions, you need to restart your computer with the installation disc inserted in your CD or DVD drive. This will cause your computer to start (or "boot") from the installation CD or DVD. If you are asked to press a key to boot from DVD or CD, press any key. If the Install Windows page appears, go to step 2.
If the Install Windows page does not appear and you're not asked to press a key to start from DVD or CD, you might have to specify that your computer use its DVD or CD drive as the startup device. This means that you need to set the DVD or CD drive to be the first startup device in the basic input/output system (BIOS). To learn how to do this, see Start Windows from a CD or DVD. After you select your DVD or CD drive as the startup device, restart your computer, and then start Windows from the installation DVD or CD as previously described.
2.) On the Install Windows page, follow any instructions that are displayed, and then click Install now.
3.) On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and to help protect your computer against security threats. You will need an Internet connection to get installation updates.
4.) On the Type your product key for activation page, we strongly recommend that you type your 25-character product key to help avoid problems during activation.
5.) On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms.
6.) On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
7.) On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, select where you want to install Windows.
• If you don't partition your hard disk, click Next. The installation will start automatically. You might see a compatibility report that lists which programs and software drivers won't work after the installation. You can resolve any issues after the installation is complete.
• If you have an existing partition and want to have more than one operating system on the same computer, you can install Windows on a specific partition. (This is called a dual-boot or multiboot configuration.) If you do this, be sure to install Windows on a different partition from the partition where your current version of Windows is installed. To install Windows on an existing partition, select the partition you want to use, and then click Next to begin the installation. You might see a compatibility report.
• If you want to create, extend, delete, or format a partition, you must start Windows from the installation DVD or CD. If you did not begin the installation process this way, follow the instructions for starting Windows from the installation DVD or CD that appear in the first step of this procedure, and then follow the instructions on each screen. On the Where do you want to installWindows? page, click Drive options (advanced), click the option you want, and then follow the instructions. Click Next to begin the installation. You might see a compatibility report.
8.) Follow the instructions.