Figure 1: The very first thing you need to do before beginning the reformat process is check and make sure that your CD or DVD Drive is set as the first boot device. You can check this by inserting your Windows XP CD and seeing if it leads you into Figure 2. If it does not lead you to Figure 2 then read the following steps to set your CD or DVD Drive to the first boot device.

NOTE: The boot device priority section, may be located elsewhere. Your BIOS may not have a "BOOT TAB" as shown in Figure 1.

STEP 1: You can usually access the BIOS by pressing DEL but sometimes it is different for difference computer brands. To find out how to access your BIOS if DEL doesn't work you can check http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm. Just check the manufacturer of your computer and the BIOS list will tell you how to access your BIOS.

STEP 2: Once you have successfully entered into your computer BIOS. You will need to set the CD or DVD Drive to the first boot device. To do this. Use your arrow keys to navigate to your boot device priority settings, You will see something labeled "First Boot Device, Second Boot Device, Third Boot Device". You can usually move the boot devices with the plus or minus keys located on the keyboard. If not try using the ENTER key to designate a boot device.

STEP 3: Once you have designated the CD or DVD Drive as the First Boot Device press "F10" on the keyboard to "Save and Exit".

Figure 2: Now that you have successfully changed

STEP 1: Insert your Windows XP CD into the CD or DVD Drive that you designated in BIOS. Then restart the computer.

STEP 2: As the computer is booting up you will see a screen just like in Figure 2. The screen will prompt you to "Press any key to boot from CD". Proceed in doing so by pressing any key on your keyboard.

Figure 3: At this point your computer's hardware configuration will be inspected. Wait for it to proceed to Figure 4.

Figure 4: During Figure 4, the Windows Setup will load all the files needed to install Windows XP. When it goes to the next screen proceed to Figure 5.

Figure 5: You will now choose "To set up Windows XP now", by pressing ENTER. Then proceed to Figure 6.

Figure 6: You will press "F8", to accept the Windows XP License agreement. Then proceed to Figure 7.

Figure 7: Here on Figure 7 you may see a partition already on the screen. In that case you will need to delete all the partitions you see. You will do this by following the on screen directions. Once you have deleted all the partitions your screen will look similar to Figure 7 except for the number which will be different depending on the size of your hard drive.

STEP 1: You will now select the "Unpartitioned space" and hit "Enter" to "Set up Windows XP on the selected item". Then proceed to Figure 8.

Figure 8: You will now see a screen what is asking you which file system to format your system with. Since we are doing Windows XP we will choose "Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick)". The only reason we are choosing the "Quick" format is because we have nothing on our partition, which was in Figure 7.

Figure 9: From this point the partition you are installing Windows on will have to be formatted and this could take a few minutes depending on which option you chose in Figure 8.

Figure 10: When you see this screen in means that your Windows system components are being copied to the Windows installation folder. You may now proceed to Figure 11.

Figure 11: After Figure 10 has completed itself. You will be required to restart the computer. The computer will automatically restart itself or you can press ENTER and force it to restart.

DO NOT REMOVE THE DISC Proceed to Figure 12.

Figure 12: After the reboot you will see the Windows XP logo during the boot sequence. Your computer will automatically proceed to Figure 13.

Figure 13: The Windows XP disc will then carry on a series of steps that will install the actual system files for Windows XP. After those steps are completed you will encounter a screen just like in Figure 14.

Figure 14: The Windows XP disc will then carry on installing. Wait until you see Figure 15 appear on the screen and then continue.

Figure 15: You will now enter in the name you wish to use for the computer. Writing in your Organization is optional. I only recommend this if you belong to a company. Wait until you see Figure 16 appear on the screen and then continue.

Figure 16: This screen has to deal with you entering in your Windows XP Product License Key. This can be located on the side of your computer. Once you have entered your Windows XP Product License Key click on NEXT and the screen will soon proceed to Figure 17.

Figure 17: You can now enter in the name you wish you give your computer. After you have finished entering a computer name click NEXT. After you have finished, proceed to Figure 18.

Figure 18: You will now be asked to setup the appropriate Time and Date Options for your system. This will allow the system clock to keep track of what time and day it currently is. After you have finished click NEXT.
Proceed to Figure 19.

Figure 19: For the next step you will make sure "Typical settings" is marked and then click Next to proceed to Figure 20.

Figure 20: For the next step you will make sure "Typical settings" is marked and then click "NEXT" to proceed to Figure 21.

Figure 21: You may encounter the next screen depending on your current display settings. Go ahead and click "OK" and proceed to Figure 22.

Figure 22: You will then again click "OK", since your screen options have now be configured to fit the best viewing size for your screen. Proceed to Figure 23.

Figure 23: You will now encounter the Windows XP loading screen, it will automatically proceed to Figure 24.

Figure 24: Follow the on screen guide and click "NEXT". Then proceed to Figure 25.

Figure 25: It is recommended that you click "Skip" since you will have no drivers installed to connect to the Internet. Proceed to Figure 26.

Figure 26: It is recomended that you select "No remind me in a few days". Windows will actually ask you to activate soon after it detects your Internet connection. Proceed to Figure 27.

Figure 27: You will now enter in your name and any other people you would like to list as users on the computer. Proceed to Figure 28.

Figure 28: The next screen will appear only if you are install Windows XP with Service Pack 2. If you do encounter the on screen directions to best suit your needs. Proceed to Figure 29.

Figure 29: Congratulations! If you have made it to this screen you have successfully reformatted your hard drive and installed Windows XP. You will now need to load all the drivers, which came with your computer, on disc. By loading the drivers you will allow your computer to preform optimally.