removing XP from my hard drive

The problem that has occurred is that someone tried to load windows xp onto this pc. As windows xp is only made for one pc, it has locked up access to all the files being used. I have been told that I have to completely clear the hard drive and than reload the windows se that I have. The other option is to get a new hard drive.
I also have been told that as I do not have the recovery cd that came with the computer that I have to create one. I am also wondering how to go about that.
Time is (of course) of the essence, so should I just get a new hard drive and plug in the windows se that I have? Will that work?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. When this is sorted out, perhaps I will request a little help navigating this site too.

 

If what TonyT's suggestion is not an option you can do the following... If possible go with TonyT's suggestion!!! Then re-format the drive and re-install 98SE.

The below will only work if the drive was left as FAT32. If it was converted to NTSF you will need another 'DOS' program that I will leave a link to further down...

Get hold of a boot floppy that includes CD support. A win 98 startup floppy would be ideal. If you can't get hold of one and someone you know dosen't want to open their system to allow you to hook up your drive but will let you use their system, do a search for window 98 startup disk. You should find programs that will create a boot disk. In fact, just did a search and here is one for you... Click Here . Use the win 98 OEM.

Once you create the floppy you can get into your system at a command prompt level. Make sure that at the menu you enable CD support. Now (assuming that your FAT32) type C: and hit enter. Your are now in your HD. Type CD windows (windows equals whatever the windows directory is in XP. I can't remember. In 98 it's windows, in 2000 it's winnt. Now type del *.* and confirm. You may have to do file by file as you can't delete a folder that has stuff in it. Actually you could probably just type del *.exe and hit enter. Wouldn't hurt to also type del *.com and enter just in case... Now just type in the drive letter for your CD and hit enter (IE d: ). Due to the ram disk the startup floppy installs if your CD was 'D:' it will now be 'E:'. Type dir and hit enter to be sure your in your win 98 CD. type setup and hit enter. Win 98 will install normally and will not see a later version of windows due to the deletions. This will leave any personal files intact. You will, of course, have to reinstall all your software and drivers. You could probably then just delete the XP directory and be ok but I'd recomment that you save all that you need to CD and re-format and install 98 again.

If the drive was converted to NTFS you will need the link that follows. Just copy to the startup floppy if enough room or make another floppy with it. This will enable you to read NTFS from DOS...

Read NTFS from DOS

Just unzip and follow instructions. Once in this program you can save any files you need (not to the HD!!!), reformat and install win 98. Then just copy your files back.

Have I covered everything???

 

Thanks Tony...sounds the easiest

 

I really appreciate the help...I think this time I will do what Tony suggested (time is a big issue) but I have printed your info and will save it. Thanks
Julie