How to Format a computer using a Windows XP disc

1. First you must put your Windows XP CD in the drive.
   
2. Then restart your computer.
   
3. When it says press any key to boot from cd, Press any key on the keyboard. (Go to step 6)
   
4. If it doesn't ask you this then restart your computer again.
   
5. Go into the BIOS settings of your PC, usually by pressing the F1, F2, F10, or maybe the delete key. If you are not sure watch the screen at startup and it will say "To enter setup press.......". You have to be quick and press it. If you miss it restart again. Once you are in the bios you have to change the boot options. You have to make your cd rom the first boot option. Save and exit.
   
6. A blue screen will appear and you are on your way..
   
7. If there is a copy of Windows XP on your computer and you wish to overwrite it you will have to press the escape button when prompted. Do not install Windows XP in another directory unless you know what you are doing. Just overwrite the previous version as you should have backed up your data anyway. You should also make the partition that had windows on it blue and press D to delete the partition. It will ask if you are sure. Press L to confirm. More details on deleting partitions.
   
8. Then Press C to create another partition and Windows will estimate a size for you.
   
9. Press Enter to confirm size.
   
10. Then it will ask you which partition you want to install Windows on. The default is C: drive. Select this and press enter.
    
11. If there are no partitions it will create one for you.
    
12. Then it will ask you to format quick, normal, in fat32 or NTFS. Fat32 suits older computers so I choose a quick format with NTFS. Quick or Slow is fine. If you had errors it is better to use a slow format which can also be known as a low level format.
    
13. From now on you just Follow the prompts and let it go..
    
14. Make sure you have your serial number ready to enter in.