How do I reinstall Windows XP?

[Tesla]

I ran an AntiVirus program on my laptop (AVG Free) and now, the computer doesn't even start up properly. It gets to the Windows loading screen (which takes longer than usual to load) and then I get a BSOD error, and the computer restarts. Since windows no longer works, to shut it down I have to take out the battery and unplug it from the wall. It seems that a virus somehow attached itself to a vital system file and the virus scanner quarantined the vital file, disallowing windows' use of it.

WHAT CAN I DO??!!!?!!!!!111*resistingusingprofanity*!!!!!

[Camel]

:| You could run Windows in *Safe Mode*, and try remove offending program...

..or try the *Install Windows in last known safe configuration*

Both of which are available by hitting F8 during Windows Startup

[sterio]

I don't know the answer to your problem, but I would reccomend just pressing and holding down the on/off button for a while to turn of your computer, rather than unplugging it and removing the battery :p

[wthigon]

Insert your Windows XP cd into the cd-rom drive. Reboot and go into BIOS and check if First Boot Device is set to cd-rom drive. If it is just exit and a dialog should appear after a bit asking... I think its...

Press any key to boot from cd... then just read the prompts.

[Spider786]

safe mode, first, run virus scan.

then, go to install as in wthigons post, follow the prompts to repair windows install.

if that dosen't work, then you'll just have to format.

[bringonts2]

On AVG, did you tell it to "quarantine system files" or "delete" system files?