Windows XP Pro formating help

[OniLink742]

I recieved a used computer with Windows XP Pro. the other day and when I went to chhange the computer's name to mine, I forgot to change the acoutnb name to mine also. When I restarted the computer and typed in my password it didn't work. I tried over and over agian but it wouldn't let me in. So then I booted from CD and re-installed XP. When I got my new account I tried installing seeral programas, but I couldn't becuase the computer said that there was already that program exsisting in the files. I searched for it and it came up blank. I got advice from a frioend that I should just reformat the drive. Could anyone give me step-by-step instructions on how to re-format?

Thanks a lot.

[bigandy]

What I would do is to do a clean install from the XP CD. This will wipe all the data from the drive, and you can install all the programs and drivers and such fresh.

What you will need to do is boot into the BIOS or Setup, and change the boot order to your CDROM drive, save the changes, insert the XP CD, and reboot. Your PC will then boot to the XP disc and go through the process.

You will get to a stage that will ask you something about which partition do you want to install XP on. You should delete any existing partition (I believe you do so by pressing the "D" key), then choose to format the drive and install on the new partition.

If you have any questions, refer to this guide on installing XP Pro.

Hope that helps.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Have you tried logging on using the Admin account?

You can undo the damage then without reformatting.

You can get there if you boot into safe mode by hitting the F8 key immediately after boot.

Another way to get there is to press the Alt+Ctrl+Del combination three times at the normal login screen, altho I am not sure about this.

I hope some other member can confirm or deny my last statement.