How to Reformat?

[MisterTurret]

I know this is a dumb question, but how do you reformat out of XP? I put in the install disk and there is no option to reformat in the install...How do I get to the command prompt without starting the install so I can format ALL of my disks.

[posthumous_GRIN]

Use fdisk to delete your partitions first so there are no traces ao any old system, change the BIOS to boot from CD and put the XP disc in.

Or.

Download the boot discs from MS's site and use those.

Or.

From within windows, put the xp disc in your drive and check install windows xp or whatever the first option is and follow the prompts. I just did this two days ago so give it another try...

[Ra\/eN]

go here

http://www.herculese.net/format.html


OR here

http://fdisk.radified.com/

[MisterTurret]

This is terrible. I cant create the disks because the program says they are write protected, even though they ARENT. Fdisk doesnt work, it just tells me to take out the media and restart the computer...This is hopeless. Im using WinXP Home

[Spineshank]

Get a Windows 98 boot disk or something and boot from that.

[MisterTurret]

I boot from Win98 Boot Disk, it shows NOTHING on c: and says it cannot be formatted...messed up. Setup disks for XP are still giving me errors half way through the setup...its MESSED UP. I cant format my hd

[TheGreatGoat]

Download the utilities from your drives manufacturer and use those to write zeros to the drive.

[posthumous_GRIN]

Originally posted by MisterTurret
This is terrible. I cant create the disks because the program says they are write protected, even though they ARENT. Fdisk doesnt work, it just tells me to take out the media and restart the computer...This is hopeless. Im using WinXP Home

If you really feel you are running out of options, go buy new discs (you will need 6), download the boot prog from MS's site and load up the discs, that has to work...

[MisterTurret]

I don't remember..does the XP setup have options for deleting partitions and formatting them before you install again?

[Spineshank]

Yea you can just do a clean install.

[SkyDog]

Originally posted by MisterTurret
I don't remember..does the XP setup have options for deleting partitions and formatting them before you install again?

Yes. At the part you select which partition to install to, you can also select to delete and/or create partitions.

[Ra\/eN]

sorry.. try here


http://support.microsoft.com/default...310994&gssnb=1

the last and desperate option is getting a wipe utility from your hd maker.

for example... maxtor uses this to completely wipe their hd's

max blast II
http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/dow...st_plus_ii.htm


and this for diags

http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/downloads/powermax.htm

[clh61]

Originally posted by Ra\/eN
sorry.. try here


http://support.microsoft.com/default...310994&gssnb=1

the last and desperate option is getting a wipe utility from your hd maker.

for example... maxtor uses this to completely wipe their hd's

max blast II
http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/dow...st_plus_ii.htm


and this for diags

http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/downloads/powermax.htm

With maxblast II figure in plenty of time. An 80 gig took 4-5 hrs. Seems too do the job though

[MisterTurret]

I have a Maxtor AND an IBM Deskstar. Can the Maxblast wipe both of the drives?

[TheGreatGoat]

Are you running the drives in an array? No the utills must come from both drive makers.