Microsoft widows xp help

[Coreman38]

I have an old lap top running window xp, but I don't have administrative privileges. Is there any way that I can completely delete everything on this pc and start over by installing new software.

 

[boblarson]

If you have the Windows XP install disc you can set the Bios to start from CD and you can start up using the Windows disc and then install Windows from scratch including formatting the drive. If you don't have an install disc, then no,you can't.

 

[Coreman38]

I have a windows 7 disc. That is what I wanted to format on the pc. Will you please explain the steps that I must take to wipe all of the old data from the machine. It is about four years old and made by dell.

 

[boblarson]

Just Hit F12 or F2 when booting from power off to go into the BIOS. Select the BOOT ORDER and change it so that the CDROM is first in the list. Put the disc in and reboot. Then click a key when asked to do so. It will start up the installation routine. Don't select UPGRADE, select NEW INSTALLATION. And then when you get to where it asks you on which partition to put it, you should see a FORMAT option which you can use to format the partition first. Then just follow the instructions.

 

[Coreman38]

I can't find my windows 7 cd. Is there anything that I can do. Is there anywhere that I can find a download of it. I made a cope from my lap top when it was new, but I don't guess that will work?

 

[rodmc]

This is not usually something I tell anyone, but..........................google UBCD4Win, there is a tool within the software image that lets you create new users with admin privileges or reset local admin password. It must be used with BartPE though, so you'll need to read through the documentation first for both "BartPE" and "Password Renew"

 

[Galaxiom]

It is unlikely that an "old laptop" is really suited to running Windows7. How much RAM has it got?

 

[boblarson]

It is unlikely that an "old laptop" is really suited to running Windows7.

Only 4 years old? It should work fine.

 

[Galaxiom]

Only 4 years old?

Missed that post. Still depends how much RAM it has.