Partitioned hard disk.

[Sam]

I have a computer that has a partitioned hard disk. on
the partition is a copy of Windows XP Home. This came
preinstalled on my computer when i brought it.

I now have purchased XpProffesional and want to upgrade
it. So i want to format my hard disk completely including
the partition.

How do i remove the partition in the hard disk and format
the drive. I have placed the xp cd in the drive on boot
up and set my first boot device to CDROM. But i want to
completely erase everything on the HD and install windows.

The computer is a Packard Bell.

Thank you

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Boot the CD, start the installer. Choose to remove both (all) existing
partitions, then create one new one. Format, proceed with setup.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Guest]

perform a clean install:

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools
necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure
and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your
peripheral hardware devices, except the monitor, mouse and
keyboard, before installing XP.
NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed,
physically disconnect the EIDE and power cable to it
before proceeding, otherwise your main hard drive may not
be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.


1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first
bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===>
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot
your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the
instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to
delete all the existing Windows partitions, then create a
new partition, then format the primary partition
(preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on
XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows
Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.
asp
-you can order a cd with all the windows updates
thru oct 2003.

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and
visit the support website of the manufacturer of the
computer to download and install any available Windows XP
compatible drivers, such as video adapter and audio
drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation
difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During
Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

I have a computer that has a partitioned hard disk. on
the partition is a copy of Windows XP Home. This came
preinstalled on my computer when i brought it.

I now have purchased XpProffesional and want to upgrade
it. So i want to format my hard disk completely including
the partition.

Although you *can* do it this way, it isn't necessary. Assuming
that yours is a retail copy of XP Professional, not an OEM one,
you can simply upgrade from XP Home. This is easier and almost
always works very well.

How do i remove the partition in the hard disk and format
the drive. I have placed the xp cd in the drive on boot
up and set my first boot device to CDROM. But i want to
completely erase everything on the HD and install windows.

Just boot from the Windows XP CD and follow the prompts for a
clean installation. It will do the reformat for you.

You can find detailed instructions here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html