Formatting the hard drive

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Guest

Trying to format the main drive on my computer has proved a little problematic.

Basically the situation is that my Windows XP disc has been misplaced
somewhere and I am aware that to format the drive I need to boot the computer
up with the disc.

The reason we want to format is due a large variety of errors on the
computer and I am going to buy a new version of XP.

If anyone has some solutions then it would be really appreciative.

I have tried to format using the command prompt but this does not work as I
am already engaging the respective drive
 
If you are going to buy/replace your installation cd why are you worrying
about formatting now since you cannot do anything without a win cd
 
Hi,

You can't format the drive while it is running Windows. You need to do it as
part of setup, thus the need for the CD or some third party tool. Since you
are going to "buy" a new version of XP, you can do it when you install it.
It is best not to format, but rather delete the existing system partition,
create a new one from the resulting free space, then format and proceed with
setup. Be aware that these procedures remove all existing data, so backup
anything you do not wish to lose to removable media.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
To do a clean install, boot the Windows XP install CD-Rom. Setup inspects
your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to install the Setup
and driver files. When the Windows XP Professional screen appears, press
ENTER to set up Windows XP Professional.

(Note: If your drive controller is not natively supported then you'll want
to boot the Windows XP CD-Rom. Then *F6* very early and very important (at
setup is inspecting your system) in the setup to prevent drive controller
detection, and select S to specify additional drivers. Then later you'll be
prompted to insert the manufacturer supplied Windows XP driver for your
drive controller in drive "A")

Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of
the license agreement and continue the installation.

When the Windows XP Professional Setup screen appears, all the existing
partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard
disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an
existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must
then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System
partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this
step for each of the existing partitions When all the partitions are deleted
press F3 to exit setup, (to avoid unexpected drive letter assignments with
your new install) then restart the pc then when you get to this point in
setup again select the unpartitioned space, and then press C to create a new
partition and specify the size (if required). Windows will by default use
all available space.

Be sure to apply SP2 or at least these two below to your new install before
connecting to any network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...be-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&displaylang=en

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Trying to format the main drive on my computer has proved a little
problematic.
|
| Basically the situation is that my Windows XP disc has been misplaced
| somewhere and I am aware that to format the drive I need to boot the
computer
| up with the disc.
|
| The reason we want to format is due a large variety of errors on the
| computer and I am going to buy a new version of XP.
|
| If anyone has some solutions then it would be really appreciative.
|
| I have tried to format using the command prompt but this does not work as
I
| am already engaging the respective drive
 
=?Utf-8?B?cmF2c3Rlcg==?= said:
Basically the situation is that my Windows XP disc has been misplaced
somewhere and I am aware that to format the drive I need to boot the computer
up with the disc.

One always needs to have on hand the CD for the OS they want to install.
 
Plato said:
One always needs to have on hand the CD for the OS they want to
install.

I didn't see the original thread, but if you have not
trashed the existing install yet, it would be a good
idea to make sure you have your product KEY
written down. If it still runs, you can use something
like belarc advisor or magical jellybean (both free)
to return the key from a running system. Borrowing
a install disk from someone when you have your
key is a lot easier than convincing them to let you
borrow their key also ...

mikey
 
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