Why can't I reinstall Windows with SP1 on it after installing SP2?

[Redstone]

I went to do a reformat reinstall of a OEM version of windows XP that had SP1 one on it and I got a message saying I cannot install XP becuase it was a previous version of windows. Has anyone heard of this? If so what is the work around?
I ended up loading a pre SP2 image from Norton Ghost then was able to do the reintall and of XP. Seems like a lot of work everytime I want to reformat and load a fresh version of windows. I am hesitant to download SP2 again if I have to go through that everytime.

[Know Nuttin]

you shouldn't have to do that at all, ever, if you load the OS by booting from the CD and starting your install that way.

[jrbob]

Boot from a 98boot disk and run FDISK /MBR and that should clear up your problem.

[Redstone]

I forgot to have the system to boot from a CD first time. So it sounds like having SP2 shouldnt effect the reinstall. Good

[Mr.Guvernment]

SP2 wont affect an instal if you boot from cd - if you try installing from windows yes you get that error.