How do I reinstall windows

I decided last week that I need to reinstall windows on my computer. Over the years, too much garbage has accumulated. Everthing I have is backed up on an external hard drive and on an additional internal hard drive.

I have both the original Dell XP CD and I have the original set of recovery disks. I have had no luck using either approach.

Windows set up keeps failing, it says it cannot detect a hard drive. I know there is a hard drive in it and it working because I am posting this using the computer.

So how do I install windows? Putting in the windows disk is not working.

 

You've a few systems listed in your system specs (two dells anyway), it would help to know which Dell you're talking about. Also, although you list HD sizes there is no indication of SATA or PATA listed or which XP version you are trying to install.

I'm thinking that you may need to install/use SATA drivers during the installation. Can this be the case?

 

The Older One, the Dell Dimension 8400. It has 3 Hard drives. They are all SATA, I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it.

I probably shoulsd retire this thing, but its really a good computer. But over the years, too much garbage. Its taking nearly 4 minutes to boot. Just a few years ago, It was less than 2 minutes.

 

Were they all SATA when you purchased the computer? I'm assuming you are using this systems recovery disks for the reinstall?

It does make a difference Ranger earlier XP's don't normally recognise SATA, you may need to use additional drivers during the install

 

Thanks, I think your right. But the Dell CD should have that on there.

I was using a slipstreamed copy of the Dell XP Pro CD with SP3 on it.

I decided to use the original Dell XP Pro CD with SP2. It seams to be working with this disk. I wonder whats wrong with the slipstreamed disk.

 

That's another question, which we'll look at afterwards, please let us know how your install goes.

 

Install went well, SP3 is installing now. AV and Firewall have both been installed.

I'll need to reinstall Office, ActivInspire, and a few other apps and I figure it'll be updating for the next few hours. I'm on my laptop right now.

I'm gonna look at that slipstreamed disk later