Win XP - Reformatting Hard Drive

[stone]

Hi, Can anyone tell me how to reformat the hard drive in order to do a clean install and rid myself of clutter. How do I get a non simulated DOS prompt! Thanks in anticipation
Stone

[DustyC]

If its a non XP machine and you stick the XP disc in it gives you the option of formatting the drives first. Did this successfully at home recentlly.

[stone]

It's already on XP but I've buggered it up trying to install a very old CD writer!! The DOS prompt in XP appears to be simulated so that windows is already running. Wondering how to go about getting the DOS prompt so as to reformat the drive. Thanks for the reply by the way Dusty. Sorry to hear about your brother and best wishes to him for a speedy recovery!!

>> Edited by stone on Monday 29th December 11:49

[DustyC]

thanks

Im no expert in PC matters but if you put the XP disc in does it give you a chance to re-install? If so then perhaps it will give you a chance to reformat too.

[stevieb]

If you want to format oldsckool way then use a windows 98 boot disk. and format then use the XP disk to reinstall opsys

[ErnestM]

Use your XP install disk...

When you get into the pre-load prep, delete the partitions on your hard drive (all of them).

Then recreate the partitions and then reload (you can reboot between deletion and recreation if it makes you feel better, but it isn't necessary)

ErnestM

[ehasler]

You may need to change your BIOS settings so that your PC tries to boot from the CD drive before the hard disk, as otherwise your PC will boot straight into the existing XP installation rather than booting from the installation disk.

[DustyC]

ehasler said:

You may need to change your BIOS settings so that your PC tries to boot from the CD drive before the hard disk, as otherwise your PC will boot straight into the existing XP installation rather than booting from the installation disk.

oh yeah, I had to do that too. Sorry forgot to say that bit!