I was reading something today that made it sound like it's possible to do a "clean install" of Windows XP without formatting my hard drive first. Is that true? If it is possible, is it still better to make the computer boot from CD, format the hard drive, then install?
Yes it is possible to do a clean install using winXP. Just put the winXP cd in the cd rom and set the CD as first boot up device. the install will automatically begin to run and during this process you will get an option asking you what type of install do you want. There will be an option for clean install along with various other options.