CAN A GOOD VERSION OF WINDOWS XP PRO OPERATING SYSTEM BE INSTALLED OVER A BAD ONE OR DO YOU HAVE TO CLEAN THE HARD DRIVE FIRST BEFORE INSTALLING

During the installation you can choose to format the partition. If the previous install is severely corrupt this is your best option. Why are you reinstalling is there something else we can help with?


On another note, Try not to type in all caps that means your yelling.

You are best advised to save what documents or files you want to retain, and then do a completely fresh install of XP. With a pirated version, one never knows what problematic bits and pieces may be left behind when you install over it that may come back to haunt you later.
Regards,
John

When I install an OS on an old hdd that there are any questionable aspects involved I will wipe the drive first with a free utility like WipeDrive or Killdisk. Reformatting will usually do a adequate job, but it will only erase the addresses of the files, wiping the drive will do a much more complete job of rendering those files inaccessible.