I'm trying to do a clean format of my hard drive.  I'm running Windows XP prof.  I did it the first time with the cd and it didn't erase any of my programs or files.  Anyone a computer geek that can give me instructions for a complete format and a clean install?

Thanks

When you do it it has to choices, pick the correct one.

Boot to the XP cd, hit enter to install, f8 for license agreement, skip the option to repair the current installation.  It'll give you a list of partitions (you should only have 1 unless you've setup more in the past).  Delete it.  Hit enter to install on the unpartitioned space and it will automatically create one using the maximum size.  Then it'll give you formatting options, choose NTFS, the rest is all pretty much self explanitory.

When you boot to the XP CD you should come up to a screen that has the C:\ partion highlighted.

Press "D" to delete the current partiton. Go through the next prompts, "enter" and "L" I believe.

You should now be back at the original screen listing unpartitoned space instead of c:\.

Press "enter" and then select "Format using NTFS" not the quick option.

Thanks guys,  I'll give it a try.  I may be back if I still can't figure it out.