Reformatting Windows XP(n00b question[s])

In my other thread i was advised to reformat my computer an acer aspire 5590 series with XP instead of vista as it has only 1gb and it would run slow.

The circumstances regarding this rather screwed,messed up laptop can be found here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=284518.

I've got many questions to ask but the main question is if i'm able to install XP(via booting from cd) with an external CD drive instead of the one in the laptop because frankly....i think it's also pretty much screwed up(not sure but if im not wrong last time it was when it was with my cousin) and i plan to bring it to a repair shop in the future after i can install XP. If it is possible to do it from an external CD drive how do i do it??? What changes to the setup must i do?????Plz advice me.

Other questions are:

1) While booting from the CD can it read ISO images because if i cant get an XP cd from anywhere near my place i may have to resort illegal piracy(online buying not an option here =.=".).

2)If the laptop previously had many problems (registry,corrupted system files,viruses) reformatting it WILL clear out all the problems right? or will some still stay after i reinstall it?

Yes, these are all rather easy questions for some of you but i am only trying to make sure. If i have any other problems i will post it here.

Thx.

 

well, you can opt for booting windows xp from usb flashdrive, just search around and you will find it

some references

link1
link2

 

If you can install from the USB stick on your laptop, you can use an external CD DRIVE as well. Have it plugged in and powered up when you boot your computer. Depending on your BIOS it may register as a USB device or CD rom drive, so just try them all. Press the appropriate F key when booting to select a boot device until you figure out which one it is.

Nothing will read an ISO image. You need to burn an ISO image with appropriate software that will take that image and turn it into the proper files. However, do not use an illegal copy! A pirated copy will bring you more problems during installation and use of Windows. It will also eliminate your ability to get Windows updates, which will compromise the integrity of your computer every day you use it.

Buy XP, or don't use it.

During the installation of XP you will be given an option to chose which partition and hard drive to install Windows to. Whichever one you chose will be formatted automatically. So chose your old Vista partition, and yes, all the problems will be gone permanently.

If you are as inexperienced as you claim to be, you may run into issues. Especially if your drive is SATA. You should consider just bringing the computer to a professional now and having them install a legit copy of Windows for you. It will save you a lot of aggravation.

 

No talking about illegal stuff here on NBR. As it is against the forum rules.

Thanks,
Johnny T

 

You can construct an Acer WinXP OEM install disc. The licensing files pair with the info in your Acer BIOS to preactive Windows. See Making a HP WinXP SP3 install disc. Same trick works for pretty much every OEM.

Don't download Windows from a torrent site though. You run the high risk of it being infected. Go find a Windows OEM install disc and tweak it for Acer.

 

Dont worry i just got the windows XP cd from my friend so SAY NO TO PIRACY xD. I just tried to boot it from CD but just as i suspected the CD drive is screwed up(it wont read the cd,not cd's fault last time it was screwed up too)

The reason i dont want to spend money on it is because i already have a laptop, but it would be a shame not to use that one right? so i was thinking of using it to go do work when going outside rather than bringing my rather fragile Asus F8sn(it's a beauty). With that laptop i dont have to be paranoid and checking my laptop for scratches every 10 mins because...IT'S ALREADY SCRATCHED..lol.

I'm not reformating from Vista to XP =.=", i was think of reformatting it to Vista but i just realised that running it on 1 gb would not give rather desirable performance so im just reinstalling XP again.

 

Sry...didnt know T_T. As you can see by the number of my posts im rather new here(Hi everyone =D)

 

sry cant really answer all the questions needed to help me but im rather busy so i havent really put reformatting the laptop as a priority but i'll definitely use the info u guys gave me in 2 or 3 days or so.