If I ever want/need to wipe my hard drive and reinstall windows xp home what should I do prior to make it a smooth and timely operation. One question I have is HOW or should I even find all my drivers before I begin and put them on disk? If so what else should I do ahead of time? like can I save all the windows updates to cd/things like that? Thanks

Have you tired a Repair Reinstall first?

Boot to your WinXP Setup CD, skip the 1st Repair option given, select to install.

Setup should see you already have WinXP installed and there will be a 2nd Repair option. This is the Repair Reinstall and, with few exceptions, will leave your system configuration (including apps) as is.

Some drivers may be asked for if WinXP does not already have them. You just need your CD for your hardware (example, video card).

WARNING: You will have to redo Win Updates after using this option - DO NOT USE EXPRESS MODE

Use [Custom] mode and look at the list. It will most likely be a long list (96 when I did this last weekend). What ever you do DO NOT INSTALL ALL AT ONE GO. Click [Uncheck All] then check 3 to 5 updates at a time and install. After loading the 3 to 5 updates, reboot (asked to or not).

Keep doing Updates in this way until all are done.

I went through big headaches because I forgot and tried to load all 96 Updates in one go, 17hrs of headaches.

NOTE: There is a method of installing (automated) a bunch of Win Updates called Slip-Streaming. We use it where I work, as part of our OEM product build. Setting up for Slip-Streaming is a long process, but once you have everything on a CD, you'll never have to go through the normal Win Update reinstallation for the Updates you already have on CD. If you (or anyone) wants to know how, I can post a separate thread with the instructions. Just ask in a reply to this post.

You get the latest drivers for all your hardware by visiting the mfgr. sites and downloading them. Most of the hardware will be sufficiently identified in the device manager. There are also programs that will gather the drivers you currently have and let you save them to a disc for reinstall after the fact. Here are a couple:

Driver Genius

My Drivers

Bear in mind that if the system is at least a couple years old, then you will be able to get most of the drivers from Windows Update. Of course, if you need a LAN driver or a modem driver to connect first, then you better have those. Also, Windows won't have any motherboard drivers you may need.

Unfortunately this box is a 2002 or so... It came with windows xp home edition already installed and a recovery cd. The recovery cd and everything has since been lost somehow... If I get a new cd of XP home and install it, from what you are saying my puter wont work... Correct? I use a cable connection that came with a exterior modem (if thats what it called). I dont need to do this now I just want to be prepared if I ever do.

Do you have a Windows Genuine Advantage sticker on the case with the serial number for your original Windows install? If so, you can still get a disc and use that number if it's the exact same version of XP Home - either original, SP1 or SP2. This disc would probably need to be copied from someone else's disc, if you can find one, since I doubt you'd be able to buy one. It's legal, as long as their serial number isn't used.

Unfortunatly not, the computer came with the sticker but it was never attached to the side. I just put it in a file in my desk... We moved and the cd and sticker are gone. I used belarc and found my key. Will my key work if I install a copy of xp home?

Yes, as long as the version you install is exactly the same as the original, ie: Windows XP Home SP1, etc.

Thanks, I hope I never have to do that... I might just get a brand new comp. instead.. I cant believe how much better they are nowdays.. alots changed in the last 6 yrs...

Before purchasing a new computer, you might want to read my pinned post at the top of the Hardware forum, "Buying a New Computer-Read This". Also, I would suggest giving HP computers a long look. I don't like retail boxes at best, but for a retail box HP produces some pretty decent units. Avoid Dell like the plague, IMHO.

Hi, I'm very much willing to learn about Slip-Streaming.
Can I have your set of instruccion for this.
I'll really appreciate it.
I'm also interested in find clear instructions on how to setup multi OS in the same HDD
Thanks
Oldrider

You can find instructions for slipstreaming HERE, HERE or HERE. Look at all three sites and decide which one provides the clearest instructions for you.

Multiple OSes are easy, especially if you're just interested in Windows. The secret with this is to install the older OSes first. I once had Win98, Win2000 and WinXP on the same system. Each successive install will create the necessary boot menu to select the OS. Just be sure to create a seperate partition for each in the beginning.

Win95, 98, or ME would have to go on the C: partition, formatted FAT32. The NT based OSes, like 2000 or XP, can go on any other partition, preferably NTSF file system. Bear in mind that when in an older FAT32 OS you won't be able to see the files on the NTFS partitions, but NTFS OSes will see FAT32 with no problem.

There used to be a website some years ago where this chap had 27 different OSes on the same system. Egads! Decisions, decisions.