Reinstalling Windows XP Home

As I am selling my old laptop, I have used DP Wiper to remove all my personal files and have uninstalled most of the programs. I would like to reinstall Windows XP Home before I give it away (I hope this would enable me to remove all my personal data from the laptop). I have some questions before I do that.\

1. Can I start the installation without uninstalling the remaining programs? Is there any websites that would give me the step-by-step procedure for re-installation?

2. This is a Compaq Presario laptop. This came with the Windows OS CD and QuickRestore System Recovery CD. To my surprise there is only one CD in the OS packet and there are 3 CDs in the recovery packet. Am I missing something?

3. Is there are a way to use the recovery CD to re-install Windows?

4. Do I need all the driver CDs when I reinstall? or can I download them from net after I install Windows OS?

5. Is it OK to use an external CD/DVD writer to install Windows since I am having problems with the internal CD player?

6. How long should it take to install Windows?

Could someone please help me with these questions? Thanks.

 

1) Yes. You can find tips right here at NBR

2) No. The OS cd is for the OS (WinXP) and the recovery package has all the orignal programs on the image.

3) Yes, that's the whole point.

4) No necessarily. The recovery disc has all the drivers for your specific notebook.

5) Yes, but make sure you don't yank the drive out while it is in the process of installing. I assume you can boot to USB?

6) Around 1-2 hours, depending on how slow your machine is.

 

Thanks, Gautam. That really helps.

 

Just finished my re-installation without any problems. I just took around 1 hour to complete the whole thing. Thanks.