Reformatting harddrive

[Bill]

I am running XP Pro and want to reformat my harddrive. I am recently new to
XP. I have used 95 and 98 previously. How do I get to the point where I
can input "Format C:".

Bill

 

[dude]

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".

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]

Note: If you are unable to activate Windows XP via the
internet,
then select the option to "activate by
telephone".

 

[Guest]

Hi:
This is no problem done it several times. Enter the Bios and make sure
master CD Rom precedes booting before the drive windows xp will be installed
in, Save changes to bios and exit (before exiting bios place winxp cd in the
CD rom that will be used to boot from, hit reset, and a screen will appear
saying" press any key to continue" Win xp will load drivers its needs for
installation ( if you have a SATA drive press "F6" when winxp asks for
drivers for other devices ect, it will continue for a while loading drivers
then ask for you to place it in the "floppy disk" , and then hit a key to
install tham when prompted) after this is all done it will show the drive,
size ect, and then ask you if you want to delete the partition, create a
partition ect, delete first, then create, then select quick format, the
letters you press to doeach operation is lon the screen for a walkthru
installation, its been made quite simple, since no floppy disk are used,,,
when the system reads restarting in 15 seconds, remove media, take out winxp
sp1 cd-rom, and it will reboot and ask for it again, put it in( better be
quick and put it in before it ask for it), if you dont it will reload the
drivers again and start again.... activation is a breeze, do it thru your
internet connection, takes a couple of seconds, you can register you copy at
the same time, this means its yours in your name,,,,good feature,,,,
Rho_1r

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".

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]

Note: If you are unable to activate Windows XP via the
internet,
then select the option to "activate by
telephone".

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Boot the XP CD, start the installer. At the point where you choose where to
install it, delete the existing partition(s). Create a new one from the free
space, then format and proceed with the installation.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Bill]

Thanks to all for the information. I am running SATA in a Raid 1
configuration. My problem was initiated by an attempt to remove Norton
Systemworks using their instructions. It seemed to create a number of
problems hence the reason to reformat. Again, many thanks.

Hi:
This is no problem done it several times. Enter the Bios and make sure
master CD Rom precedes booting before the drive windows xp will be installed
in, Save changes to bios and exit (before exiting bios place winxp cd in the
CD rom that will be used to boot from, hit reset, and a screen will appear
saying" press any key to continue" Win xp will load drivers its needs for
installation ( if you have a SATA drive press "F6" when winxp asks for
drivers for other devices ect, it will continue for a while loading drivers
then ask for you to place it in the "floppy disk" , and then hit a key to
install tham when prompted) after this is all done it will show the drive,
size ect, and then ask you if you want to delete the partition, create a
partition ect, delete first, then create, then select quick format, the
letters you press to doeach operation is lon the screen for a walkthru
installation, its been made quite simple, since no floppy disk are used,,,
when the system reads restarting in 15 seconds, remove media, take out winxp
sp1 cd-rom, and it will reboot and ask for it again, put it in( better be
quick and put it in before it ask for it), if you dont it will reload the
drivers again and start again.... activation is a breeze, do it thru your
internet connection, takes a couple of seconds, you can register you copy at
the same time, this means its yours in your name,,,,good feature,,,,
Rho_1r

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".

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]

Note: If you are unable to activate Windows XP via the
internet,
then select the option to "activate by
telephone".