FORMAT C: ; with xp!

[MATTKO]

Hey,

Can anyone give me a flippen clue on how to totally
format my hard drive?

XP doesn't seem to do it, I have tried with the Install
CD, and with the run command within windows. (xp = no dos)

I also went to my hard drive manufacturer and tried to
use their programs to "write zeros", but alas it wouldn't
do it. (kinda humorous actually, the windows program of
their software directed me to use the dos version, and
the dos version directed me to use the windows version!)

Anyway, Please give me some good info on formatting the
hard drive. I need a fresh start for XP.

Thanks in advance!

P.S.
MS is trying to drive me crazy with stuff like this. I
mean really, its not like every user doesn't need to do
this every year or so. UGH!!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Can anyone give me a flippen clue on how to totally
format my hard drive?

XP doesn't seem to do it, I have tried with the Install
CD, and with the run command within windows. (xp = no dos)

I also went to my hard drive manufacturer and tried to
use their programs to "write zeros", but alas it wouldn't
do it. (kinda humorous actually, the windows program of
their software directed me to use the dos version, and
the dos version directed me to use the windows version!)

Anyway, Please give me some good info on formatting the
hard drive. I need a fresh start for XP.

Thanks in advance!

P.S.
MS is trying to drive me crazy with stuff like this. I
mean really, its not like every user doesn't need to do
this every year or so. UGH!!

Boot with XP CD..
Pretend you are planning to INSTALL XP. Follow through until it asks you
which partition you wish to install onto.. Delete the partitions you don't
want anymore.. Create new ones.. Format them.. Jump out at any of those
points and/or better to just continue with the Install if you want a clean
install.

As for the manufacturer's "write zeros" utility.. You make a bootable floppy
disk, boot with it, use their utility - it will erase the drive in question,
but good.

 

[susie]

Please see:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

 

[Guest]

i also had the same problem with formatting. The only solution at the time was to use my old w98 boot disk which did the trick as it enabled dos.. I would not fully recommend though as now I have to make a choice between 98 or xp on every boot up, which I am unable to remove...