I just received a COPY of Windows XP which I plan to put on my computer once I remove Windows ME.

I don't know very much about REMOVING and adding operating systems. How do I go about formatting my hard drive? How do I go above loading up Windows XP from that point?

Any help with these questions and any other advice would really help me out.Reformatting and installing Windows XP is very simple. Follow these general rules:

1. Set the first boot device to CD-ROM in the BIOS.
2. Insert Windows XP CD
3. Press a key to boot off the Windows XP CD when prompted
4. Choose to install Windows XP
5. It will automatically detect all the space available and tell you that an operating system is currently installed.

You are most likely given the choice to reformat the partition of your choosing.

The process is very simply as the Windows XP installation documentation that is displayed in front of you whilst installing will guide you through most of the work.

However, should you require additional assistance; post a message.

Is this winxp disk an upgrade disk.....if so you need winme to load it......No, its not the upgrade version.you could dual boot.........winxp//////and have winme as WELL....if you do post back.....How do I install Microsoft Windows XP?One more thing. My parents bought this computer from Futureshop and it came pre-loaded with Windows ME, plus a recovery disk. No driver disks came with my computer. Its a Compaq Presario(four years old), by the way. My computer is partitioned into a the regular C drive and a backup D drive.

If I'm installing Windows XP do I need driver disks? Or, can Windows XP recognize and use all my hardware without driver disksWindows XP is most likely able to detect and install all the hardware connected.

Just incase this doesn't work. I was thinking about keeping the backup Windows ME partition drive intact. If by some chance I boot the XP disk and something happens whereby I can't install the software, how would I go about accessing the partitioned drive and restoring my Windows ME on my computer? Would it be as simple as insterting the recovery disk and rebooting or would it even work if I flatten my regular drive?Two questions........how much ram has this got?.....winxp is hungry for ram.........? and why not dual boot .......you can keep winme..........and have winxp......if you dont like winxp you can uninstall it leaving......winme intact.......best of both worlds......How do I dual boot? Is it a similar process?yes read the setup screen.......or if you go for a complete install.......>>>the recovery disks will bring back winme if you want to.It is best to run an XP compatability test first of all to make SURE that your computer CAN run XP and use all of your software, etc. See the link below.

Clean installing is preferable and when I made the change from an OEM install to a full XP install I fitted a new drive to install to, so that it could be partitioned and formatted to NTFS.

If you do that then you can always return your old drive when you want to sell the computer on.

XP Clean Installing
XP Compatability Test
XP Partition Management
XP Installing Recovery Console

RAM Knowledge Base
RAM And What it Does
RAM Virtual Memory Paging
RAM Reseating & Fitting PDF File

Processor Temperatures
Service Pack Slipstreamer
Power Supply Wattage Calculator
Everest Home Edition Computer Diagnostic Program