By Tim Fisher, About.com Guide
Choose a Partition Size
Windows XP Clean Install – Step 11 of 34
This is the beginning of Part 2 of 4. If you need to, you can go back to the previous step located at the end of Part 1.
Here you need to choose a size for the new partition. This will become the size of the C drive, the main drive on your PC that Windows XP will install to. This is also the drive that all of your software and data will probably reside on unless you have additional partitions set aside for those purposes.
Unless you are planning on creating additional partitions from within Windows XP after the clean installation process (for any number of reasons), it’s usually wise to create a partition at the maximum size possible.
For most users, the default number provided will be the maximum space available and the best choice. Press Enter to confirm the partition size.
Choose a Partition to Install Windows XP On
Windows XP Clean Install – Step 12 of 34
Highlight the line with the newly created partition and press Enter to set up Windows XP on the selected partition.
Note: Even if you created a partition at the maximum size available, there will always be a relatively small amount of space left over that will not be included in the partitioned space. This will be labeled as Unpartitioned space in the list of partitions, as shown in the screen shot above.
Choose a File System to Format the Partition
Windows XP Clean Install – Step 13 of 34
For Windows XP to install on a partition on a hard drive, it has to be formatted to use a particular file system – either the FAT file system format or the NTFS file system format. NTFS is more stable and secure than FAT and is always the recommended choice for a new Windows XP installation.
Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, highlight the line that says Format the partition using the NTFS file system and press Enter.
Wait for the New Partition to Format
Windows XP Clean Install – Step 14 of 34
Depending on the size of the partition that you are formatting and the speed of your computer, formatting the partition could take anywhere from a few minutes to several minutes or hours.
Wait for the Windows XP Installation Files to Copy
Windows XP Clean Install – Step 15 of 34
Windows XP Setup will now copy the necessary installation files from the Windows XP installation CD to the newly formatted partition – the C drive. This step usually only takes a few minutes and no user intervention is necessary.
Windows XP Installation Begins
Windows XP Clean Install – Step 16 of 34
Windows XP will now begin installing. No user intervention is necessary.
Note: The Setup will complete in approximately: time estimation on the left is based on the number of tasks that the Windows XP setup process has left to complete, not on a true estimation of the time it will take to complete them. Usually the time here is an exaggeration. Windows XP will probably be setup sooner than this.
Choose Regional and Language Options
Windows XP Clean Install – Step 17 of 34
During installation, the Regional and Language Options window will appear.
The first section allows you to change the default Windows XP language and the default location. If the options listed match your preferences, no changes are necessary. If you wish to make changes, click on the Customize… button and follow the directions given to install new languages or change locations.
The second section allows you to change the default Windows XP input language and device. If the options listed match your preferences, no changes are necessary. If you wish to make changes, click on the Details… button and follow the directions given to install new input languages or change input methods.
After you’ve made any changes, or if you’ve determined no changes are necessary, click Next >.
Enter Your Name and Organization
Windows XP Clean Install – Step 18 of 34
In the Name: text box, enter your full name. In the Organization text box, enter your organization or business name. Click Next > when complete.
In the next window (not shown), enter the Windows XP product key. This key should have come with your Windows XP purchase.
Note: If you’re installing Windows XP from a Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) CD, you will not be prompted to enter a product key at this time.
Click Next > when complete.
Enter a Computer Name and Administrator Password
Windows XP Clean Install – Step 19 of 34
The Computer Name and Administrator Password window will appear next.
In the Computer name: text box, Windows XP Setup has suggested a unique computer name for you. If your computer will be on a network, this is how it will be identified to other computers. Feel free to change the computer name to anything you wish.
In the Administrator password: text box, enter a password for the local administrator account. This field can be left blank but it’s not recommended to do so for security purposes. Confirm this password in the Confirm password: text box.
Click Next > when complete.
Set the Date and Time
Windows XP Clean Install – Step 20 of 34
In the Date and Time Settings window, set the correct date, time and time zone settings.
Click Next > when complete.
Please proceed to How To Clean Install Windows XP (Part 3 of 3) to continue.
Republished from About.com (View original version.)
jebaranjan 