Sounds like a good idea Jarg. Is it easy to do with XP? Or do I have to do a del tree windows sort of thing first? I'd really want step by step instructions, unless with XP it is just a matter of putting the cd in the drive and having at it.

The hardest part is actually making sure your machine will try to boot from the CD before the hard drive. If it does, I say he's right. Go for it and get rid of all of the stupid stuff Dell autoinstalls. XP will mention at a point that there is already an OS installed. SO what. Tell it to delete that and every other partition you can find then format the whole drive using the slow NTFS method. Then just keep following directions. Be ready for about 70 updates too.

Urgh. Do I have to get rid of all my lovely files too? I have no partitions on this hard drive. Ideally, I would like to reinstall the OS, and have it keep all my programs and stuff on the hdd with file associations intact. Then I would install SP2.

A curious statement Jarg. :wink:

I have actually reinstalled OSX on occassion but not for any reason other than purchasing the latest major updates (i.e. Jaguar 10.2, & Panther 10.3) and wanting a completely clean install. I've never had to wipe out my drives on any of the macs I've owned in order to fix any issues. This is not to say I have never had issues, it's just that the issues I've had are minor and are usually fixed the next time my mac automatically runs it's software update prog.

So I guess the answer is yes to your question Jarg but the clean install is a matter of preference and not to do with any outstanding issues.

These types of threads are the reason why I own a Mac. Tinkering with a PC would cut into my time harrassing folks on forums. :lol: :twisted:

So, from two responses, I would assume that OSX is a very good OS. Frankly, I would LOVE to install it on a PC in a dual boot config. That way, I could have the best of both worlds.

Nameless:
Your Dell should have a burner of some sort. Am I correct? I believe in backing up the things you want to save. You never know when that hard drive is gonna break, so better safe than sorry. That way, you ALWAYS have a copy of the important stuff.
"Burn, baby!"
Step by Step:

1/2. Go and download ALL of the newest drivers for any equipment on your PC and burn them to disk. It makes setup a lot easier.
1. Burn important files to a CD or DVD.
2. Boot machine into BIOS. During POST, hit either the F2, or Delete button. All Dells that I have tinkered with use F2. Your machine will let you know which button allows you to enter setup.
3. In the BIOS, find the setting for your boot devices. It should be called Boot Sequence. Make sure that the first boot device is your CD drive. If not, make it so, with your hard drive being second.
4. Put in the Windows XP install CD.
5. Press F10 in the BIOS screen to save and restart.
6. After the computer restarts, it will ask if you want to boot from the CD, press any key..... Press any key, because you do.
7. Wait for the stuff to load from the CD. After it loads, you will be asked to accept a liscensing agreement. Hit F8.
8. Now the fun stuff :D You will be taken to a screen that ask you what you want to do: Fresh copy of XP, Repair XP, or quit. I have never had much luck with repair, as it just puts the old drivers and files back in place. May as well install a fresh copy. Hit enter.
9. It will ask where you want it, and give you options. You want to really clean the drive so delete the C: partition. WARNING. When you delete C:, you are erasing EVERYTHING on the hard drive. Make sure you have all of the important stuff backed up.
10. You will be given 2 chances to change your mind. I think you have to press D on the first screen and L on the second. Now your HD is erased.
11. You will now have to create a partition. If you do not want to partition your drive, then create one primary partition. If you do want to partition, create a primary partition, and how ever many secondary partitions you want. You have to choose what size you want these partitons to be. I suggest at least 10 gigs for C: This allows you to install a few programs on the C: drive. I have 6 partitions in this computer. If you do not know what partitioning is, best to just use one primary partition. (C:)
12. After you have created your partition, let Windows know that this is where you want to install Windows.You will have to format the partition. Pick NTFS (not the quick format). This will take a while, so go get some coffee and snack.
13. From here, Windows takes over. There will be two popup windows asking you some simple questions. Fill in the info, and set back while Windows installs. It should take less than 15 minutes.

After it installs, you will need to install those drivers. Next, go to Windows Update and install everything you want to. The rest is up to you. Install programs, games, whatever you like. You will see that your PC is running smooth as silk when you are done.

I hope that this is helpful. To the GURUs out there, if I have missed anything, please fill in the information.

<sigh> If only the world would listen. </sigh>

Ctrl-Alt-Delete,

M