formatting c

[Thread]

so... i want to reformat my computer (currently using XP). By formatting C, i understand i won´t be able to boot the XP CD in regular DOS, once C has been formatted. previously, To avoid this, i usually installed win98 and then XP. the problem is, i don´t have the win98 cd with me right now, and i was wondering if there was any other possible way in which i could format C: drive. As of now, i´ve tried reinstalling windows xp using XP the CD, but all it does is replace some windows files, it doesn´t reformat anything because i can´t create another partition and the current one (C) cannot be formatted because the setup files are stored there.

 

[Adabiviak]

If you own XP (not an upgrade), you should be able to boot from the CD with a blank hard drive just fine (did it this evening, in fact). Tell the computer to boot from CD and it should ask you if you'd like to format before you continue.

 

[Ti133700N]

Im not sure to understand the problem... Just put the WinXP CD in and delete all the partitions and then install WinXP and it'll be as clean as a ... clean format.. duh.

 

[The Hulk]

Make sure your BIOS knows to look at the CD drive before the hard drive. Boot Order option.

 

[Jimmeh]

Format using the WinXP disc. Just stick in your WinXP disc, and then while the computers starting up it should say "Press any key to boot from CD" or somesuch, then you'll enter the setup. There you just format a drive and create a new partition thing and it'll install Windows.

 

[gweedodogg69]

The XP Upgrade CD can perform a format. I installed Windows 2000 on a machine, then I put the upgrade CD in and told it to format. It ran the format and installed XP just as a retail CD would. Of course I installed XP Home (friend's PC) and that is what I did.

 

[Thread]

thanks all for the tips, mission accomplished