How to Do a Format and Reinstall of Windows XP, Vista, or 7
- 1). Insert the Windows installation disk and restart the computer.
- 2). Press the key indicated on the screen to enter the Windows setup application.
- 3). Click the "Install Now" button.
- 4). Enter the Windows product activation key when prompted. This is a 25-character key that is located in the Windows documentation that accompanied the installation disc.
- 5). Agree to the end-user license agreement.
- 6). Select the "Custom" option when asked which type of installation is desired.
- 7). Select the hard disk to be formatted from the list of available drives presented.
- 8). Click the "Drive options" button in the main dialog window.
- 9). Click the "Format disk" option to format the hard drive selected.
- 10
Click the "Next" button to begin the installation. From this point the installation is self-directing and requires no user intervention. Upon completion of the installation process the user is prompted to create an account for the operating system.
Source...