I got from my friend, a used HP/Compaq DC711 running XP Pro with Sp2. It is very well-configured hardware-wise, e.g. lots of disk space, 2 GB Memory.

He had some software and user files (not very important, he said). Maybe in how he installed some of the software, Windows is messed up. However, it can still boot, and go into Windows, get an internet connection with I/E 6, essential doing all the very basic functions.

The machine has 2 hard drives, one 60 GB (original from HP/Compaq), and another working one of 500 GB (he said he got it new, and there is no major files in it, except for some pix and music - which he does not care if they are lost).

In the 60 GB, are the following sources of Drivers:
- Audio.exe
- Graphic.exe
- Brodcomall.exe (for the Broadcom Ethernet connection)

He lost all his recovery disks. Good that I got the COA (key) sticker still on the machine, and a an OEM Disk of WinXP Pro with SP2 (that I can have access to for a few days up to a week, from another friend).

I do not want to have anything left over from his junk software, documents, etc. because he has given this computer to me as a gift.

Now, I am thinking of COMPLETELY INSTALLING WINDOWS XP PRO (INCL.SP2)

Questions:
(1) When I start a new installation of WinXP,
(a) will it recognize the 2 disk drives, and
(b) so will they be reformatted (better), and
(c) if not, will the pix and music files on the 500 GB will still be left there.

(2) At what point do I have to install the above 3 basic drivers.
Please elaborate for me (because I don't think Microsoft would care anymore once I had WinXP up at that stage, the WinXP installation procedure could stop there as successfully completed).

I searched the Internet, lots of articles on how to install WinXP. Very little had been said about when and how to install the basic drivers. My point is that if I can get to the Internet on-line (i.e. get the Ethernet card working, with the keyboard, mouse, sound, and display on a monitor), [of course, I have to configure to connect to my ISP myself], I can then find the other necessary drivers.

Appreciate help from all you good people out there. Thanks in advance.