Dell:WinXP Home Recovery

[gerrygrit]

Normally when I re-install WINXP...I use a Win98 start up disc...go to fdisk..
delete the non-dos partition and then create a new one...format ... and then
do the re-install.
Recently I was asked to re-install WinXP Home on a Dell.When inserting the
Recovery Disc and rebooting the PC......was given an error that the
"copy of Windows is newer than the one trying to be installed.Setup will
be disabled".
When I went back and did the fdisk...I found that there were three
partitions on the drive.Did not delete any partitions.
Also looked in add/remove software to see if I could remove any of the
service packs.
Would it be easier (and safer) to just delete the windows folder and then
use the recovery discs????

Thanks for any responses

G

[jayb1234]

With Dells it can be different depending on when the system was built. Some have a restore partition that will reinstall the operating system. This page should lead to the instructions for whichever model you are working on.

[EzyStvy]

The pc probably has Home w/ SP2 thus the newer version message.

After booting off the cd, you "should" be able to delete the C partition and recreate it/format it. Much faster than useing a win98 bootdisk.