Formatting Windows XP

[Guest]

How do I format my computer? I am currently running Windows XP but it is
corrupted so I am unable to format the drive as recommended thru Windows XP.
As it is a NTFS system I am unable to format the computer via format and
fdisk normal ways. Any suggestions?

I can't access Windows XP by normal ways and I can't boot into Windows XP
via my CD (don't know why). And yes it is an original XP CD and no it is not
an upgrade. I have original set up disks for Windows 3.1, 95, 98, ME and XP.
I can access fdisk and format but as it is NTFS system it is unable to
format the computer this way.

There has to be a way to wipe the whole computer - I just want to start from
scratch - BIOS onlY! Please help.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Please see the following article by Michael Stevens:

"How do I format a NTFS, Fat/Fat32 drive with XP installed"
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/format_XP.htm

 

[Alex]

enter bios and set boot sequnce to cd first.rebbot with cd

it is possible that your pc does not boot from cd

 

[Guest]

The computer is not that old - it comes up with a incorrect set up disk - but
I can't see what other CD I should be using. It is definitely an original
full version XP cd.

When I tried to do the winnt.exe thing it said cannot open in dos mode (?)

 

[Gunilla]

If you can get into BIOS and change the boot-up sequence to floppy then you
can put in a Win98 boot-up diskette and do fdisk, delete the NTFS partition
and reboot with the floppy still in the PC, create a new primary DOS
partition and shut down.

Now go into BIOS again and change the boot sequence to CD ROM or CD-RW if
you have that and put the XP CD into the PC and reboot. You will be given
the choice to delete that DOS partition and formatting the HD with NTFS on
it.

Gunilla.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

How do I format my computer? I am currently running Windows XP but it is
corrupted so I am unable to format the drive as recommended thru Windows XP.
As it is a NTFS system I am unable to format the computer via format and
fdisk normal ways. Any suggestions?

I can't access Windows XP by normal ways and I can't boot into Windows XP
via my CD (don't know why). And yes it is an original XP CD and no it is not
an upgrade. I have original set up disks for Windows 3.1, 95, 98, ME and XP.
I can access fdisk and format but as it is NTFS system it is unable to
format the computer this way.

There has to be a way to wipe the whole computer - I just want to start from
scratch - BIOS onlY! Please help.

Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot
devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm




--

Bruce Chambers

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