hi
i have a cpu which runs winnt. I would like to use winxp. Im not an IT expert but I would like to try to do it myself. I need some guidelines. May I know whats the step tht i need to do?isit necessary to reformat the hard drive or just intall to to upgrade to winxp??pls guide me….im appreciate of yr help.
![]() |
Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
install winXP
Home » Forums » AskWoody support » Windows » Windows – other » install winXP
- This topic has 24 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 20 years, 6 months ago.
AuthorTopicWSnuglorious
AskWoody LoungerNovember 7, 2004 at 3:34 pm #411924Viewing 1 reply threadAuthorReplies-
WSTonyE
AskWoody LoungerNovember 7, 2004 at 3:46 pm #896713Paul Thurrott’s site has a good guide to upgrading to Windows XP. For you I recommend that you check the following sections of his guide
Windows XP Installation and Upgrade Overview
Using the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor
Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Upgrading to Windows XP Pro from Windows NT/2000 -
WSnuglorious
AskWoody Lounger -
WSTonyE
AskWoody LoungerNovember 8, 2004 at 8:30 am #896905The following Microsfot link may help answer that question.
Windows XP comparison guide -
WSnuglorious
AskWoody Lounger -
WSnuglorious
AskWoody Lounger
-
-
-
WSTonyE
AskWoody LoungerNovember 8, 2004 at 8:30 am #896906The following Microsfot link may help answer that question.
Windows XP comparison guide -
WSHansV
AskWoody LoungerNovember 8, 2004 at 8:35 am #896909See for example the thread starting at post 314913, you’ll find several links.
-
WSnuglorious
AskWoody LoungerNovember 12, 2004 at 6:59 pm #899284 -
joep517
AskWoody MVP -
WSnuglorious
AskWoody LoungerNovember 13, 2004 at 2:10 am #899423Thks for replying.
I had tried the installing part but the msg popup saying my winnt version to be install in to v5 bcoz currently i have is v4. So why cant the xp still accept the installation since its winnt?i don understand. Thts y i hv to go to msdos to deletes all the current winnt and format it. this gives me so frustrated. Besides to msdos, is there any other way to deletes n format my hard disk?pls help -
WSbigaldoc
AskWoody LoungerNovember 13, 2004 at 9:40 am #8994631) Do you have a Windows XP CD?
2) Do you have the machine BIOS set to be able to BOOT from the CD?If the answer to both of those is YES, you should insert the Windows CD and re-boot the machine. The Windows XP CD should take over and as stated, you should get the option to format during the process.
-
WSnuglorious
AskWoody LoungerNovember 14, 2004 at 2:12 am #899743hi there,
yes, i hv xp cd and about tht BIOS, how can I know if I hv this machine?May i know where to check if my machine hv bios?Even if my machine dont hv bios, when i inserted the winxp cd, its prompt me a msg stated my winnt had old version. My machine currently running winnt v4. But is it true tht the winxp cd only can install v5?Pls advise.
Thank you
nuglorious -
WSLeif
AskWoody LoungerNovember 14, 2004 at 8:21 am #899758First thing, can you please avoid writing in an abbreviated style. This is not an sms forum – you do not pay extra for having to use capital letters, spaces between words and all of the letters a word contains. Apart from that, it is extremely irrating, ambiguous and generally makes life difficult for those you are expecting to help you.
I would say your pc must have a BIOS – it is the basic software to make your computer work before it can load whatever operating system you wish to run. Check the documentation that came with your computer as it should explain how to access the BIOS on startup – usually by hitting a key such as Delete.
Here are some references for you to help you understand:
How BIOS works.
Bios Central
Everything you wanted to know about BIOS -
WSnuglorious
AskWoody Lounger -
WSnuglorious
AskWoody Lounger -
WSLeif
AskWoody LoungerNovember 14, 2004 at 8:21 am #899759First thing, can you please avoid writing in an abbreviated style. This is not an sms forum – you do not pay extra for having to use capital letters, spaces between words and all of the letters a word contains. Apart from that, it is extremely irrating, ambiguous and generally makes life difficult for those you are expecting to help you.
I would say your pc must have a BIOS – it is the basic software to make your computer work before it can load whatever operating system you wish to run. Check the documentation that came with your computer as it should explain how to access the BIOS on startup – usually by hitting a key such as Delete.
Here are some references for you to help you understand:
How BIOS works.
Bios Central
Everything you wanted to know about BIOS -
WSnuglorious
AskWoody LoungerNovember 14, 2004 at 2:12 am #899744hi there,
yes, i hv xp cd and about tht BIOS, how can I know if I hv this machine?May i know where to check if my machine hv bios?Even if my machine dont hv bios, when i inserted the winxp cd, its prompt me a msg stated my winnt had old version. My machine currently running winnt v4. But is it true tht the winxp cd only can install v5?Pls advise.
Thank you
nuglorious -
WSbigaldoc
AskWoody LoungerNovember 13, 2004 at 9:40 am #8994641) Do you have a Windows XP CD?
2) Do you have the machine BIOS set to be able to BOOT from the CD?If the answer to both of those is YES, you should insert the Windows CD and re-boot the machine. The Windows XP CD should take over and as stated, you should get the option to format during the process.
-
WSnuglorious
AskWoody LoungerNovember 13, 2004 at 2:10 am #899424Thks for replying.
I had tried the installing part but the msg popup saying my winnt version to be install in to v5 bcoz currently i have is v4. So why cant the xp still accept the installation since its winnt?i don understand. Thts y i hv to go to msdos to deletes all the current winnt and format it. this gives me so frustrated. Besides to msdos, is there any other way to deletes n format my hard disk?pls help -
joep517
AskWoody MVP
-
-
-
WSnuglorious
AskWoody LoungerNovember 12, 2004 at 6:59 pm #899285
-
WSHansV
AskWoody LoungerNovember 8, 2004 at 8:35 am #896910See for example the thread starting at post 314913, you’ll find several links.
WSnuglorious
AskWoody LoungerWSTonyE
AskWoody LoungerNovember 7, 2004 at 3:46 pm #896714Paul Thurrott’s site has a good guide to upgrading to Windows XP. For you I recommend that you check the following sections of his guide
Windows XP Installation and Upgrade Overview
Using the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor
Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Upgrading to Windows XP Pro from Windows NT/2000Viewing 1 reply thread -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
89 million Steam account details just got leaked,
by
Alex5723
3 hours, 22 minutes ago -
KB5058405: Linux – Windows dual boot SBAT bug, resolved with May 2025 update
by
Alex5723
3 hours, 30 minutes ago -
A Validation (were one needed) of Prudent Patching
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
3 hours, 39 minutes ago -
Master Patch Listing for May 13, 2025
by
Susan Bradley
4 hours, 12 minutes ago -
Installer program can’t read my registry
by
Peobody
4 hours, 45 minutes ago -
How to keep Outlook (new) in off position for Windows 11
by
EspressoWillie
17 hours ago -
Intel : CVE-2024-45332, CVE-2024-43420, CVE-2025-20623
by
Alex5723
14 hours, 43 minutes ago -
False error message from eMClient
by
WSSebastian42
14 hours, 38 minutes ago -
Awoke to a rebooted Mac (crashed?)
by
rebop2020
23 hours, 43 minutes ago -
Office 2021 Perpetual for Mac
by
rebop2020
1 day ago -
AutoSave is for Microsoft, not for you
by
Will Fastie
43 minutes ago -
Difface : Reconstruction of 3D Human Facial Images from DNA Sequence
by
Alex5723
1 day, 4 hours ago -
Seven things we learned from WhatsApp vs. NSO Group spyware lawsuit
by
Alex5723
5 hours, 28 minutes ago -
Outdated Laptop
by
jdamkeene
1 day, 9 hours ago -
Updating Keepass2Android
by
CBFPD-Chief115
1 day, 15 hours ago -
Another big Microsoft layoff
by
Charlie
1 day, 14 hours ago -
PowerShell to detect NPU – Testers Needed
by
RetiredGeek
18 hours, 23 minutes ago -
May 2025 updates are out
by
Susan Bradley
8 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26200.5600 released to DEV
by
joep517
1 day, 21 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26120.3964 (24H2) released to BETA
by
joep517
1 day, 21 hours ago -
Drivers suggested via Windows Update
by
Tex265
1 day, 20 hours ago -
Thunderbird release notes for 128 esr have disappeared
by
EricB
1 day, 18 hours ago -
CISA mutes own website, shifts routine cyber alerts to X, RSS, email
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
2 days, 3 hours ago -
Apple releases 18.5
by
Susan Bradley
1 day, 22 hours ago -
Fedora Linux 40 will go end of life for updates and support on 2025-05-13.
by
Alex5723
2 days, 5 hours ago -
How a new type of AI is helping police skirt facial recognition bans
by
Alex5723
2 days, 5 hours ago -
Windows 7 ISO /Windows 10 ISO
by
ECWS
14 hours, 20 minutes ago -
No HP software folders
by
fpefpe
2 days, 13 hours ago -
Which antivirus apps and VPNs are the most secure in 2025?
by
B. Livingston
1 day, 10 hours ago -
Stay connected anywhere
by
Peter Deegan
2 days, 19 hours ago
Recent blog posts
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2025 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.