Format Disk

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richie NY
  • Start date Start date
R

Richie NY

Can't make an XP OS machine format, also cannot get it to
boot up purposely into dos prompt before windows starts
up.

Thanks
 
An XP machine will format just fine. You need explain what it is you are
trying to do. You are right about not being able to purposely get into a
dos prompt on boot. That's what dos disks are for.
 
I have found the simplest way to format the drives formatted with NTFS is to
just FDISK them. Use your old startup disk, boot to it, get to a:\ prompt,
enter fdisk or fdisk c: and then delete every partition on the drive.

Then when you install your OS again it will format it to what you want it
to.

Contrary to lots of people's suggestions... I leave XP in FAT32 rather then
NTFS. I see no reason to change that as it allows me to use my regular boot
options.

Galen

--
From the Desk of Galen Gregory aka KGIII, GotRoot? or
several obscene phrases not fit for posting in an open forum.

For requests for more information just email me personally at:
(e-mail address removed)

Quote for the day:
"So long and thanks for all the fish" - Douglas Adams.
 
1. To format your hard disk, boot from the XP CD and follow the directions
to install XP.

2. There is no DOS in Windows XP, and thus no DOS prompt.

Mike Mulligan
 
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