Can't install windows xp, messed up MBR

[kanonathena]

Hello,

I already had xp on c drive then I accidentally installed a new one on D drive (I intended to format c drive and reinstall xp on c drive).

Then I found for some reason I no longer able to boot from the xp on d drive.

So I formated c drive and try to install, the xp stepup cd won't let me, I tried to format the d drive and install, the same thing happens. They both say the the drive c and d are not compatible with xp.

So I guess I messed up MBR really bad, I can't boot and I can't reinstall xp. I have tried fixboot, fixmbr, doesn't work. I tried use ****** Partition Master's boot cd to fix MBR, unfortrunately the software doesn't have this feature in DOS.

I plan to wipe the entire hard drive, delete all files all partitions, will this fix MBR and let me install xp? Any suggestion is appropriated. Thanks.

 

[johnb35]

Remove the drive that you will not be installing xp to. Then boot to the cd and delete existing partitions, repartition and install windows. If it still won't let you, then you will need to use a utility that will delete the partitions on the drive like dariks boot and nuke.

https://sourceforge.net/projects/dban/files/dban/dban-2.2.6/dban-2.2.6_i586.iso/download

Download that file and then use burning software that will write images to a cd to write the image and then boot to the cd to totally wipe your drive. Then try reinstalling windows.