Every now and again, Windows XP and other operating systems need to be reinstalled. In response to my cousin needing to reinstall her computer, I am going to provide a step-by-step list of how I do mine. There are two ways of doing it; the first way will take up a full day or two to do. The second way will only take you about 4 hours if you work fast. If you have never done a reinstall my way, read below. If you have done these procedures already, then click here.

Ok then. You want to do a full reinstall of your operating system. This will wipe your entire hard drive, erasing ALL files, and removing all settings. You will need to back up all of your files, find all of your CDs, and reinstall all of your programs. A few things to note:

• In the step-by-step, I will mention OS. That is your operating system or OS,which would be Windows XP or whatever you might be running.
• I will occasionally mention to go to step 3C or what ever. The 3 would be what is in the bold, and the C is step that is under it. It's basically like a folder hierarchy.

Well, let the fun begin.

WARNING: READ EVERY THING! Make sure you know step by step what is going on.

Step 1. Grab What You Need

1. You will need quite a few physical things first:
   1. Reinstall Disks
      1. If your OS came on your computer when you got it, you should have a CD or two that came with it. There are three kinds of CDs that come with a new computer, Trial software disk, the Factory Restore Disks, and the Windows OEM Disk. If you computer has Factory Restore disks, they will say something like Quick restore (Compaq) or Factory restore. This is the CD that you want if possible; there will usually be more than one, unless the restore disk is a DVD. If it is a Windows OEM disk, it will say something about it being the Operating System CD. This is the one you want. Both kinds of CDs will say "Only for distribution with" then whatever your computer is.
      2. If you bought an OS disk at a store and installed it onto your computer, then that is the disk you want to find. Its going to be shiny on both sides. If it is Windows, it will say Microsoft somewhere and what OS it is somewhere else.
   2. Product key
      1. The most dreaded part of install, besides finding that you did not backup your files. You will need this on MOST systems when you do the reinstall.
      2. You need to find this number and write it down somewhere so you have it ready to go.
         1. If your DESKTOP computer came with the OS installed on it, it is going to be the side, top, or back...usually.
         2. If your NOTEBOOK computer came with the OS installed on it, check the bottom.
         3. If you bought the OS at a store, the Product Key should be on the box it came in, or on the manual it came with. In a rare occurrence, it is on the CD itself.
      3. There may be a lot of numbers...sorry, but you want the 25 digit one, it should be broken in to 5 groups with 5 characters each.
   3. Backup Media
      1. You need some way of backing up the data on your computer. There are 4 big ways to do this:
         1. CDs/DVDs. Remember that they have a fixed size of 700MB or about 4 GB respectively, unless you have duel layer DVD, which would be about 8.5. The are cheap and last for a long time, you can make copies and store them somewhere else, and they fail. They did that to me once I was angry. Still have yet to recover my notes for Speech class.
         2. External Hard drives. At 60 dollars for a 80GB, you cannot go wrong with an external hard drive. You can save multiple copies of a backup on one drive and use it later. DO NOT just go for the cheapest thing... be willing to spend a little for a good drive. I would recommend a hard drive from Western Digital or Seagate. I have both and they are the best.
         3. Internal Hard drive. If you add a second (or third) hard drive to your computer, it will not get wiped when you do a reinstall. What I do on my system is keep the OS and all programs on the hard drive the system came with. Then I got a second, larger drive that I put my music and video on to. Remember: If you music and stuff is on the primary drive, it gets wiped on a reinstall, so you have to back that up too; for me, that's 180+ GBs of music, video, and pictures.
         4. Remote Storage. This is only feasible if you have a high speed connection. For somewhere about a penny a MB, you can store your data on a server online. Just remember that you have to upload all of it and upload is slow. I have found one side called XDrive" which allows for up to 5GBs of storage, for free.
      2. You also need a way to back up your data. Windows has a backup program called "Backup". Windows XP also has another program called "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard". If either of those doesn't float your boat, there are a few online. You can also just Copy and Paste your files.
      3. Once you have storage for the backup and a way to do it, test them out...play with them so you know exactly how to use them.
   4. Programs
      1. I have two very important programs that I use...both are free. They will make your life a little easier.
      2. Dixml from http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm. We will use this when we are close to being done...I will explain it later.
      3. Bart PE from http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/. It's a little tricky to set up,and it is not required but I do recommend using it...I will let you know when it might come in handy. It is a Live CD of Windows XP...In other words; you basically boot Windows XP from a CD...good when you have a bad problem. You will need Bart PE if your system crashes and you need to put an image back on, but I will explain that later.
   5. Applications
      1. Find of the CDs that have applications that you can't live without...Office, the disk that has the install data so you can go online, etc.
      2. If there are any programs online that you have, get those now and put them somewhere, like your backup media.
      3. Get your programs like a Firewall, Anti-virus, and anti-Spy ware downloaded now so that you don't have to go online and get them insecurely.

Step 2. The Backup

1. This is the most important part...this is what can make or break a reinstall. The question is: what to back up?
   1. Personal Files
      1. On Windows XP, there is a folder on C: that is called "Documents and Settings". You want to get that and everything under it, with a few exceptions. Here are the basic rules. You will want to go thru for each actual user, including All Users, but not Default.
         1. Do back up the "Documents" folder
         2. Do back up the "Desktop" folder
         3. Do back up the "Applications Data" folder and the "Local settingsApplications Data"
         4. Do not backup the "Start Menu" folder
         5. Do not backup any temp or temporary folders.
         6. Do backup any folder you created.
         7. Backup everything else you think you might need.
      2. On older OSs like Windows 98, you want to get "C:\My Documents" and "C:\WINDOWS\Desktop"
      3. Also go thru each of your folders in "C:Program files" and find any files that you might want to keep for your programs later.
         1. For example, with my "Sim City" game, you will want to get the cities that I created, like Waukee, but I do not want to get the templates or the actual program.
      4. Click here to see what I would backup using Microsoft's Backup program.
      5. Most backup programs allow you to save your selection. I would recommend you do that so that you don't have to go thru every folder next time. Save the selections file into the same location as the actual backup.
   2. Drivers
      1. This is not required, but I do back up my drivers so that when I plug my hardware back in, I can use the drivers.
      2. The folders you want to back up are in the "C:\WINDOWS\inf" and "C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers".
2. Save your backup to which ever media you want to use.
   1. If you save to a CD, actually use a burner to do it. I never trusted Windows' built in burner, and Packet writing just does not do the trick.
   2. If you go for a hard drive to save the file, do not save it to the C: drive. Actually,unplug whatever drive you save your backup to.
3. Verify your data. Microsoft's backup program can be set to auto verify your data. One of the best ways to verify is to restore all your data to a different location, then compare the results
   1. If you restore to a different location, I would recommend you use the Command Prommote (DOS) and run Comp.

Step 3. The Format and Install

1. Yes,it's nuking time. For this part forward, please print this out or display it on a different computer. You might also want to get the pictures that follow or at least write down the jest of the images.
2. Take your first or only reinstall disk and put it in your primary CD/DVD drive. When you got your computer and it only had one, use that one. Otherwise,use the drive that is first listed on my computer. This is usually D: or maybe F:. If all else fails, use trial and error.
3. Reboot your computer.
   1. Have the CD in the primary drive when it reboots. If it does not boot to the disk, try the next drive. If you get it to work,go onto step 3D, otherwise, go to the next step.
   2. You might have to go into BIOS and set your computer to boot of the CD/DVD drive. To get into BIOS, you will need to hold down a key on your keyboard when your computer boots. It is usually the CTRL key,F2, F12, ESC, or the Delete key...again, more trial and error.
   3. Once you get into BIOS, it will be grey and blue. It should look a little like this. Navigate to the Boot Order menu. Arrange the list so that CD is first on the list. That should look something like this. Remember that all BIOS are different so it does take some work to find.
   4. Save your settings and go back to step 3C.
4. Start the formatting
   1. If you are using a Factory Restore Disk from your computer maker, you might see something like this. They make it simple, so have fun and go onto to step 3E.
   2. If you are using the Windows Install disk either from a store or that came with your computer (see step 1A1), you will see this:
      1. Step 1
      2. Step 2
         1. Choose the partition you want to use for the reinstall. This is the only one that will have changes done to it.
      3. Step 3
         1. This is your last chance to change your mind. If you are sure you want to kill the old system, choose NTFS file system (quick). It takes the least time and NTFS is best for XP, and soon to be Vista.
         2. If you are going to duel boot your system with an older OS (DOS, 3.1, 95, 98, ME) and it is on the same partition, you will want to use the FAT file system.
            • If you are duel booting with an older OS, you need to install the OSs from oldest to newest. If this is the case, you will want to leave your file system intact. Using this option will just overwrite the current XP files.
            • In my opinion, if you are going to duel boot, each OS should get its own partition. I would use the XP disk to create the partition. Even better, use a program like a Virtualization program.
5. Wait for it to complete
   1. Factory installs take about an hour to copy data then they are done.
   2. Microsoft's XP install disks take about 15 minutes to copy the data, then about half an hour to an hour to install. There will be about 3 times that you have to intervene to enter data like time zone, product key and networking.
6. Ending the reinstall
   1. After one more reboot, Windows will bring up a final setup screens, which includes creating users, registration, and everyone's favorite: product key and activation.
      1. If you use a Factory install, you do not need to worry about product keys and activation...lucky you.
      2. If you use the XP disk that came with your computer, you might not need enter your product key but you will need to activate...sorry.
7. WARNING! After you activate...if it is needed...Unplug your internet cable if you have a connection that isalways on, like DSL or cable. If you don't, you might get your computer infected and you will need to go back to the start of Step 3!

Step 4. Welcome Back

1. Uninstall
   1. Well, now that you are done reinstalling, its time to do more uninstalling. In this case, it is the trial programs. Uninstall everything you don't need. For me, this would be everything except the games.
   2. You might have to reboot a few times. Make sure you remove the install disk first.
2. More clean up.
   1. Ok, programs are gone, so a few more things. Open My Computer and open the C: drive...unless you duel booted, but you would know where to look.
   2. Delete all folders except for "My Documents" (Windows 98) or "Documents and Settings" (XP), the"Programs Files" folder, and the "Windows" folder, or"WINNT" on a few weird computers.
      1. The folder I386 is about a GB, and does need to go, but you can wait a while.
      2. A resulting cleanup should look like this.
   3. Now you should go in and change your page file by right clicking on "My Computer", click properties, Advanced tab, click on Settings under Performance, then the Advance tab again (click here to see the image to get there). On your C: Drive, choose the custom size for page file and make it about 500 for initial and maximum (click here to see an image with is set).
      1. My "computer" has two hard drives. The C: drive is for the system, and theE: drive is for the page file. This won't be the set up for most people.
   4. Reboot again please.
   5. Now you should restore your Drivers backup from Step 2A2 and put the folder output on the desktop. Once that is done, start plugging in your hardware, and when the computer asks for the driver location, point it to a folder you just restored. It might be buried so you will have to look around in the main folder.
   6. When that is done, reboot your computer; delete your "Drivers" and the "I386" folder unless you really need it. Then empty your recycling bin.
      1. The I386 folder has all the files on the install CD. After the reinstall is done,you only need this folder if a system file goes corrupt. Again, it does take a GB, but in step 7, we will take care of the size problem.
   7. Now open "My Computer", right click on the C: drive, click on properties, then check the little box that says Compress drive. Click on OK and the computer will start compressing all the files. This does take some time, and there is the occasional file that cannotcompress because it is in use, so just click on "Ignore All".
      1. After compression is complete, there is a slow down that is not noticeable and almost all programs accept compression. The only program that does not seem to like is "Microsoft's Flight Simulator 2002". Not sure why, but it will not load the planes. When you install this program, navigate to where you install the program, right click, click on properties, click on advance, then de-check the compress box, then ok and ok.
   8. You should now have your system down to about 1-2 GBs total, not including hibernation and page files.
      1. When you open the C: drive, it should look like this.
3. Lockdown time
   1. If you are doing this to a computer that you will never put online, you may move on to Step 4D
   2. Firewall
      1. Windows XP has a built in firewall that can be activated by going opening the network connections, right clicking on the connection that you use (usually Local Area Connection if you use an always-on connection), click on properties, the advance tab, the settings button, turn it on, the ok your way out.
         1. SP2 has the firewall on by default.
      2. On older OSs,you will need to use your own firewall. I have some recommendations here.
      3. To verify that your system firewall is working, run Shields Up from GRC.com.
   3. Spyware and Virus scanners
      1. Honestly, I don't use them like most people do, just because I don't get this stuff. Click here to learn more.
   4. Now you can go online, but don't go surfing yet. I will let you know when you can. Do, however, get everything(Windows, security programs) updated.
4. Beautify your UI
   1. This is now a good time to go into the control panel and other locations and change your mouse, background, screensaver, start menu,and other appearance things.
      1. If you normally use a setting, like the background picture, that is not included in XP, change it to something you like. You can take care of the other stuff later.
5. Install fun
   1. Find your Office program, whether it is Microsoft Office, Open Office, Microsoft Works, or anything else you might use and install them.
      1. Do not set up Outlook yet, but start each of the other programs so that install can finish.
   2. Install anything absolutely necessary. Besides the Office program, StatBar, and Power Toys, I never install anything else.

Step 5. The Backup (Encore)

1. Do you remember how you got the program Dixml? Time to put it to use. Dixml makes an exact image of a hard drive and saves it to a single file. Then you can reinstall the image later.
   1. Install Dixml and run it. If you have a second hard drive, save the output to that. If you backup to a CD/DVD or remote storage, save it to your hard drive then you can move it later, Dixml will not mind.
   2. Again, I will explain how to set up Bart PE later.

Step 6. The Final Restore

1. Itis time to find your personal files and restore them. Each program is different, so I will not walk thru that.
   1. If you backed up by coping and pasting, do the same to get it back.
   2. If you use Microsoft Backup, when it asks to confirm the restore, click on advanced, and uncheck restore security. That way, you can skip to Step 6.
2. If your files have security permissions, you will need to fix the permissions. This is a little hard to do but we willdo what we can. You will know youneed to do this if you cannot access your files.
   1. Reboot to safe mode. This means, that when the computer starts coming up, but before the Windows screen comes up, hold down the F8 key. It is a little tricky so you mighthave to do it a few times.
   2. Open your account and when a box comes up asking if you want to work in safe mode, click yes.
   3. Find the folder you are having trouble with, right click, properties, and click security.
   4. Click advanced, then select your name and check "inherit from parent..." this usually does the trick
      1. If you are not on the list, click on "Add", "Advanced", "Find Now", Select your name (or everyone),click OK, OK, Check the box "Full control" under the allow column,then OK the rest of the way out.
      2. If that does not work, you have something wrong that is harder to fix than what I can explain, sorry.
3. Reboot and you are done. Now you can finish installing your files.

Step 7. Prepare for the Worse

1. At some time, this needs to be done. You need to download Bart's PE from http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ and follow the website's instructions to create a disk. Before you create the disk, go to http://www.runtime.org/peb.htm and download the "DriveImage XML V1.18 plugin" and follow Bart's instructions to add the plugin...its not too hard. You just download the cab and in the PEbuilder click plugins, find the cab file, and add it. Fun, huh?
2. After you slipstream XP and create an ISO file, burn it and save it for later. When you need to do a reinstall, click here.

Step 8. The End Credits

1. Well,now we are done, so I want to thank a few people/companies that contributed ideas to this how-to
   1. First I would like to thank all the Spyware, virus, and evil hackers who make it nessesary to reinstall your OS every other day!
   2. To Microsoft, who gave us an OS
   3. To runtime.org for creating their image program
   4. To Bart of www.nu2.nu, who allows us to use our computer with out using our harddrive.
   5. To harddrive makers, who allow us to save our files for later.
   6. And to my cousin, who needs to reinstall her system, and needs to know how I do it.