Formatting systems and boots partations

[rico.thespian]

Formatting systems and boots partations

Hello!

My drive c: is my systems partition and my drive d: is my boots
partition. Due to some persistent virus problems, I would like to
reformat my harddisk, but the command prompt is not allowing me to
format the c:

Is it possible to temporarily assign my d: as both my systems and boots
partition, so I can reformat c:?

Is it also possible to simply reformat my whole hard disk (including
all partitions) so I can reinstall Windows XP?

Thank you for your time.

Rick

 

[Malke]

Formatting systems and boots partations

Hello!

My drive c: is my systems partition and my drive d: is my boots
partition. Due to some persistent virus problems, I would like to
reformat my harddisk, but the command prompt is not allowing me to
format the c:

Is it possible to temporarily assign my d: as both my systems and
boots partition, so I can reformat c:?

Is it also possible to simply reformat my whole hard disk (including
all partitions) so I can reinstall Windows XP?

It sounds like you are trying to format the system drive while still in
Windows. You can't do this; it would be like trying to saw off a tree
limb while sitting on it.

Boot with the XP install cd and you will be able to delete partitions,
create new ones, and format the drive. Here are links to help you:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#reinstall_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

Malke