how to format hard drive

[rich]

i've tried to format my hard drive but when i click on format it just comes
back with a message saying 'quit any disk utilities or other programs that
are using the drive, and make sure that no window is displaying the contents
of the drive'. At the point of clicking on format I have nothing loaded. How
do I check to make sure nothing is loaded so that i can format my hard drive?

 

[philo]

i've tried to format my hard drive but when i click on format it just comes
back with a message saying 'quit any disk utilities or other programs that
are using the drive, and make sure that no window is displaying the contents
of the drive'. At the point of clicking on format I have nothing loaded. How
do I check to make sure nothing is loaded so that i can format my hard

drive?


You cannot format the drive you are booted to.
If you want to re-install XP and format the drive first,
you must boot from the cd

 

[rich]

how do i boot from my xp disk?

drive?


You cannot format the drive you are booted to.
If you want to re-install XP and format the drive first,
you must boot from the cd

 

[Malke]

how do i boot from my xp disk?

Go into the BIOS and set the boot order for CD/DVD drive first, hard drive
second. How you get into the BIOS differs from computer to computer but
normally you'll see a prompt such as "Press DEL [F2, etc.] to enter Setup".

Accessing the BIOS
http://michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/reference/biosp.htm
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000235.htm

Malke

 

[mikeyhsd]

sounds like you need to find a computer club in your area to attend and also get help from someone there.

check with libraries, and schools to see where the club is.




(e-mail address removed)



how do i boot from my xp disk?