How to Install Windows XP Professional on a Used Hard Drive
- 1). Install the hard drive into your computer per the manufacturer's instructions if necessary.
- 2). Insert the Windows XP Professional CD into the CD drive and reboot your computer. When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, do so.
- 3). Allow Windows Setup to load. At the "Welcome to Setup" screen, press "Enter," then "F8" to agree to the Terms and Conditions.
- 4). Press "Esc" to skip over the option to repair the currently installed version of Windows.
- 5). Highlight the "C" partition and press "D" to delete it, "Enter" to confirm you chose the system drive, then "L" to confirm the deletion. Delete any other partitions as well by pressing "D" to delete and "L" to confirm.
- 6). Press "C" when the only option is unpartitioned space to create a new partition for Windows. Press "Enter" to accept the default size for the partition, then highlight the newly created "C" partition and press "Enter" to format and install Windows to it.
- 7). Choose to format the drive using the NTFS file system and press "Enter." Formatting may take a few minutes; don't press any keys until your system reboots.
- 8). Disregard the prompt to press any key to boot from the CD this time; instead, wait for Windows to boot naturally.
- 9). Enter your region and language settings when prompted and click "Next," then enter your name and organization and click "Next" again.
- 10
Type in a new administrator password and computer name and click "Next." On the next screen, input the date, time and timezone and click "Next" again. - 11
Choose the default option for the Workgroup settings. If you are asked for network or modem settings, choose the default option for those as well, click "Next." Wait for Windows to finish installing and reboot. - 12
Finalize the installation using the onscreen instructions. When you reach the desktop, activate Windows as prompted. Installation is complete when Windows is activated.