How to Fresh Install Windows XP Pro without a Recovery CD

Last updated March 23 2005

In this step-by-step guide, I will show you in details how can you accomplish the following:

1- Create a bootable Windows XP Pro (WXPP) CD with service pack 1a or 2 (SP1a or SP2).

2- Format your hard disk drive (HDD).

3- Install a clean copy of WXPP.

4- Download and install all the necessary drivers/applications for your ThinkPad notebook (TP).

Usually people want to format the HDD and install a clean copy of WXPP to get rid of many software and applications that come preloaded with the new computers or to configure WXPP the way they want. You can use this guide if the following are true:

1- You have a folder called i386 on your HDD or a recovery CD from where you can extract that folder.

2- You have the WXPP product key for your computer. Most manufacturers place a sticker on the back of the machine with this number.

If you do not meet these two requirements, stop here and look somewhere else.

What we are doing here is just reinstallation for the copy of WXPP that you have paid for when you bought your computer.
   
Important Note: You must follow all the instructions in this guide whether your computer came preloaded with SP1 or SP2.
   

Note: This guide is oriented towards IBM ThinkPad T series (TP). However, most of the steps are general and you can just skip the steps that deal with TP.
   
 

I have tested this guide on my TP T42 with SP1a and SP2. Everything went smoothly. My machine now is booting up faster without any junk software or applications sucking up my memory and CPU resources.
   
               
             

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