How to Reinstall Windows XP From a Command Prompt

1. Insert your Windows XP disc into your CD/DVD-ROM drive. Restart your computer by pressing 'Ctrl,' 'Alt' and 'Delete' simultaneously, selecting the 'Shutdown' option at the top menu and clicking on the 'Restart' option.
2. Reboot your system to the CD/DVD-ROM drive by pressing either the 'Delete' of the 'F12' key to bring up the boot menu during the restart process. When the boot menu loads, use the arrow keys on your keyboard and scroll down to the option 'Command Prompt with CD Support.' The command prompt will load shortly.
3. Type in 'Drive:' when the command prompt loads, and then press the 'Enter' key. Type in 'i386' at the next prompt and tap the 'Enter' key.
4. Enter 'WINNT' at the next command prompt that appears to start the installation process. The next command prompt will ask you to name the installation path (where you want to install Windows XP); type in the drive where you want to install the operating system, followed by '\386' (for example, key in 'c:\386'). From here, the Windows installation disc will take over; simply follow the onscreen instructions when prompted each time to reboot your system.