How to uninstall xp

[skddls]

How do I get win xp home off my computer and format c drive. I want to put in a different operating system. I have a dell, with only a re-installation disk not a original xp disk. If I can't remove xp then does anyone know how I would go about installing linux/unix. My computer won't run the downloaded iso images. HELP PLEASE!!!

[jholland1964]

Are you certain your computer would be able to accomodate a new operating system? We really cannot advise because we don't have the particulars of your computer, all you have told us is it is a Dell. Dell makes hundreds of computers so that tells us nothing.

My computer won't run the downloaded iso images.

Downloaded images of what? If this is the reason you want to add a different operating system, it is not a good reason. Why do you want a new operating system? We really need a lot more information.

[jholland1964]

joytime365, I am sorry, but this link does not apply to the question that you asked or the information you supplied to us....

How do I get win xp home off my computer and format c drive. I want to put in a different operating system. I have a dell, with only a re-installation disk not a original xp disk....how I would go about installing linux/unix.My computer won't run the downloaded iso images.

The link you provided has absolutely no information concerning installing linux/unix.

You really need to read each and every bit of info on the link and they do not apply to your question at all.

These are instructions only for persons who have or would like to;
.... upgraded to XP from Windows Me or Windows 98
....a dual-boot configuration with Windows 2000/XP/2003 and 98
....install Windows 98 after Windows XP (You must have a second hard disk or partition formatted for FAT16/32 in order to be able to install Windows 98/Me.)
....customize a new Windows XP installation
....use Group Policy to deploy Windows XP in a Windows 2000 network
....change the default location of the i386 folder
....install Hebrew on XP or 2000
....install XP Pro
....install Windows 2000 Server
And several other instructional links, but no where in this link are there any instructions concerning the installation of Linux on a computer which has XP installed for that you need to go to Linux links.

Your reason given for the removal of XP was that the computer could not "run downloaded iso images". This really has NOTHING to do with XP itself. You do need to use something like Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel for Windows XP(Free) or ISO Buster or Daemon Tools in order to extract the files from an image file to a temporary folder on your hard drive, then run setup to install the program you want.
Though I am not that familiar with Linux I believe it may have the capability to mount and run an ISO built in though I believe you have to create a mount point to do so and since you didn't seem to be aware that you need a tool to use with XP or other os's to run an ISO image then I wouldn't recommend you try using Linux either, only because your research on the original problem or question is flawed.

Frankly, it is my opinion that this is a very poor reason to completely change a computer's operating system, just to be able to run a downloaded iso image when what you need is an additional program to do so but the best way is to burn it to a cd first and then run it.

If the ISO image you wish to run IS Linux then why not go to the Linux.org page and read EVERYTHING they say? One thing recommended is TRY it out before installing. They have links to these try out ISO images...try out being the key phrase here...you don't have to install, you can try it and see if you like it....

All you need to do is burn it to a CD or DVD and boot your machine.

Note it says BURN it to a CD, it does not say RUN the ISO that as downloaded.
Now if these ISO images you want to run are NOT ones of the Linux operating sytem but ISO's obtained via P2P then this is something we do not recommend or support for obvious reasons.... piracy, the high chance of computer infection, etc.

[OEM_guy]

I would suggest getting a "live CD" of a Linux OS
this way you could try out the Linux distro and determine what capabilities your PC will have currently and which ones might need to be addressed further, such as drivers, etc..

A live CD will run directly from the CD ROM drive without a need to install anything (it will run slow, compared to an actual Linux install - but great for testing the interaction of the OS and the hardware)

Do be advised____an .iso is simply an image of a CD
thereby the CD can be duplicated in exactly the same way each and every time, ie. the info on track 1292 is exactly what is expected always - unlike a typical CD burn process which is a bit more random
therefor you must burn the .iso file as an image rather than simply copying it to a CD
merely burning it to a CD just makes another copy of the .iso file
burning a CD based on the image gives you an actual usable CD from the .iso

yeah, probably not the best of explanations
but, if you use the help on the CD burning software you have you can determine how to make a valid CD from an .iso file

if you search, there are freeware type programs to create CDs from .iso images as well - in case your particular software does not include that capability

creating a usable CD from an .iso image is definitely the place you must start if you wish to pursue this Linux further

.......and the Live CD is by far the image you should be testing with first

[TurcoLoco]

I agree with OEM guy as well, you might want to test the desired Linux distro by using the 'Live CD' version instead of installing it to your local disk.

This freeware could help you burn the .iso images properly to a CD in case your current CD burning software can not handle it:

http://www.ntfs.com/iso-burning.htm

[francois1]

Have you try to install Linux directly?

[aarathi]

To remove Windows XP, follow these steps:
1. Restart your computer in Safe mode. To do this, press the F8 key while Windows is starting.
2. Log on with an account that has administrative credentials.
3. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add or Remove Programs.
4. In the list of installed programs, double-click Uninstall Windows XP.

Note If Uninstall Windows XP is not in the list of installed programs, you must manually reinstall Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition. In this case, make sure that you back up all your critical data before you reinstall Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition.
5. When you receive the following message, click Yes to start the Windows XP removal:
Are you sure you want to uninstall Windows XP and restore your previous operating system?
6. After Windows XP is removed, your computer restarts to the previously-installed operating system.