Format Hard Drive

[Guest]

Am currently operating XP Pro (an upgrade from 98ME), am completely unable to
access my network connection or its settings or properties, or to create a
new one --just can't get to it at all, and am also unable to use windows
installer. It appears that pertinent OS info is corrupted or missing.
Scandisk shows no errors. I've tried booting from my XP Upgrade disk, but it
doesn't work. I can't install or overwrite existing OS as, according to my
computer, the existing OS is more recent than the XP upgrade on disk from
which it was installed (???). Can't boot from original system restoration
disks (OS = 98ME) due to older OS and/or installer issues.

Without taking me through other options as I've already tried just about
everything, I'd really appreciate it if someone would walk me through
formatting my hard drive. I already have my files backed up and other
software installation materials on hand. I know how to get to c:\, but am
unable to use "format c:" because it's in use! A friend walked me through
this process about five years ago (on another computer I was preparing for
sale), and as I recall, it seemed to involve getting into the Windows
directory and then somehow unlocking it, all from DOS. However, now I don't
remember details.

Your help in formating my hard drive is appreciated!

 

[M and D]

How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348/en-us

Steven

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi,

You may find this more helpful.

XP Clean Install by Michael Stevens MS-MVP:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

 

[Guest]

boot from the cd. delete existing partitons. then format and install.

called 'clean install'.
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

yuo do have a full retail version?

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your response. I've printed out the recommended file and will
attempt later when I get home to my computer.

The format may be unneccessary now, however, as it turns out that UNPLUGGING
MY COMPUTER COMPLETELY and then plugging it in again fixed my problem with my
network connection (problem I'd been trying to fix). The issue with my
network connection, however, has been a recurring one. Any thoughts on why I
keep losing access to my network connection (it works for a while - 6 or 7
weeks this last time - then I lose it again) but disconnecting my computer
from its power source fixes it?

Any/all input appreciated!

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi,

This sound more like a hardware/driver problem to me. I don't think
reinstalling or clean installing Windows will fix this.

Two thoughts that come to mind:

Look for a newer network driver, and a BIOS update for the motherboard.

You could also post a new thread concerning this network problem.