Escape key broken

[pawanah]

Hi,

I am trying to install windows xp by formating the laptop but I face a strange problem. Unfortunately my escape key is broken and when the installer prompts to press the escape key to start fresh installation I am not able to do so. I tried using an external usb keyboard. It works perfectly till the prompt comes up and then the external keyboard too stops functioning.

Any help is much appreciated.

[bludgard]

I believe the Esc key is used to back out of a situation, pawanah. Try striking the Enter key. :)

Method 1: Perform a clean install of Windows XP

A clean installation consists of removing all data from your hard disk by repartitioning and reformatting your hard disk and reinstalling the operating system and programs to an empty (clean) hard disk. For more information about important things to consider before you partition and format you hard disk and how to partition and format your hard disk by using the Windows XP Setup program, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

313348 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348/ ) How to partition and format a hard disk by using Windows XP Setup program

To perform a clean installation of Windows XP, follow these steps:

1. Back up all important information before you perform a clean installation of Windows XP. Save the backup to an external location, such as a CD or external hard disk.
   
2. Start your computer from the Windows XP CD. To do this, insert the Windows XP CD into your CD drive or DVD drive, and then restart your computer.
   
   Note To boot from your Windows XP CD, the BIOS settings on your computer must be configured to do this.
   
3. When you see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press any key to start the computer from the Windows XP CD.
   
4. At the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to start Windows XP Setup.
   
5. Read the Microsoft Software License Terms, and then press F8.
   
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to select and format a partition where you want to install Windows XP.
   
7. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Windows XP Setup.
   

If you have successfully installed Windows XP, you are finished. If these steps did not help you install Windows XP, go to the "Next Steps" section.

[pawanah]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. But here is my situation.

I already have an XP version installed but my laptop has slowed considerably and so I wanted to do a clean install. You are right till step 5 above but after that the installer detects that I already have an XP version so it gives me three options - 'Esc' to install cleanly, 'R' to repair and some third key to exit. My problem is I want to use the 'Esc' option but as the key is broken I cannot :-(

[bludgard]

Ok, pawanah. Lets try a different route....

Download Active@ Kill Disk bootable .ISO image. Extract the file. Burn the .ISO image file to CD with an .ISO burning software such as the one provided within the .zip file. Boot from the CD/DVD and wipe the hard drive on the machine in question.

Try reinstalling Windows afterward.

Inside the .zip file you should see this:

[pawanah]

Thanks a lot. I was able to make a fresh installation after cleaning the drive.

[bludgard]

Quite welcome. Glad you have it sorted.