Formatting a XP computer.

[Johnboy60]

Hi, Can I format a hard drive on a XP Computer?


Thanks, Robert.

 

[trunks2k]

Hi, Can I format a hard drive on a XP Computer?


Thanks, Robert.

I assume you mean a computer in which Microsoft Windows XP is the operating system? The way I do it is put the Windows XP full install (not an update) cd and restart the computer. The computer then boots from the CD and loads the installer. Before actually installing the system, it lists all your drives and will let you partition them and format them, you just have to read what it tells you on the screen.

You may need to play around with the boot order in your bios (usually accessed by pressing del or esc immediately after turning the computer on). Somewhere in the bios will be an option to set the boot order, make sure the floppy drive (you won't need it for a reformat and reinstall but it can help down the line), followed by a CD drive, followed by the hard drive.

That's the way I do it because it combines 2 tasks into one.

You can also take the more annoying route:

You can also make a DOS boot disk. Just search for "boot disk" and you'll get a lot of different ones to choose from, but they all should let you format any drive. When you make the boot disk, put the disk in your floppy drive, and reboot. You should boot into DOS, if you don't, the boot order is probably wrong. When you boot into DOS type without the quotes 'A:' and then 'format <drive letter>', where <drive letter> is the drive/partition you want to format. NOTE: in most DOS versions you get, hard drives that are formatted in NTFS will not be recognized by DOS. So you should stick to using the install CD to do all the formatting and partitioning.

 

[Stryper]

goodman ^

exactly what to do.

 

[Morrog]

Or you can go to a command prompt and type in "format C"

 

[trunks2k]

Or you can go to a command prompt and type in "format C"

I don't think that would work. Because C is the directory that operating system is running on. It can't destroy the file structure of the drive, because if it did, it wouldn't know how to run anymore.

However, I just tried format C in my command line, and it did warn me that it would erase all the data and asked if I was sure I wanted to format it. Of course, I'm not going to say yes. I don't want to find out that I'm sorely mistaken. But I'm 95% sure it would stop trying to format.

 

[SirKenin]

No, it wouldn't stop the format... Good thing you pressed no.

 

[Johnboy60]

Hi, Thanks for the help and my XP didn't come with system disks. Will I have to contact H.P. for these disks or MSN? How many reboot disks came with your XP computer?


Thanks, Robert.

 

[Athanasian Creed]

Hi, Thanks for the help and my XP didn't come with system disks. Will I have to contact H.P. for these disks or MSN? How many reboot disks came with your XP computer?


Thanks, Robert.

Aaahhh, you're talkin' about RECOVERY disks

And yes, HP is NOTORIOUS for not including recovery (aka backup/restore disks) with their computers after XP came out. You DO have it - it's on a hidden partition on your HD. Methinks if you go Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools you may find it listed somewhere in there but not sure.

HP customer's were up in arms about the lack of recovery disks and petitioned HP who a couple of years ago relented and offered them if one called for them (at minimal cost) Give that a try - can't hurt.

AFAIK - there are 3 disks - one for Windows XP, one for drivers, one for preinstalled software. IMO, you'd be better to grab yourself a retail copy of XP so you can do a clean install rather than rely on recovery disks.

HTH


Ray

 

[trunks2k]

No, it wouldn't stop the format... Good thing you pressed no.

Really? I seem to recall trying to do that on a 98SE OS and it wouldn't let me. How exactly would that work? If all the system files are on C, how can it format it? It wouldn't be able to access the system files anymore. Unless the important **** is being held in RAM, which I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[SirKenin]

Unless the important **** is being held in RAM, which I wouldn't be surprised.

bingo

 

[Pilgrim 33]

Depends if it is Fat 32 or NTFS and also if it is a proprietary system (HP, Compaq, etc); in any event, I'll assume the worst case scenario.

Find a Win ME or 98 Start Up disk and
1) go to the A: prompt
2) Run FDISK and get rid of any hidden partitions making it one large HD
3) Shut down, breing it back up to A:
4) Format Unconditionally
5) insert Win XP CD
6) Reboot
7) If you have a fairly recent system and the BIOS is capable of recognizing the CDROM WIN XP will start
8) If you are using WIN XP Upgrade, it will ask for a previous version, insert ME, 98, etc and it will recognize serial number and, after following prompts it will tell you to reinsert WIN XP
9) Installation is in progress.

It will help immensely if you have everything already hooked up prior to XP install (phone line, printer, etc).

 

[S Walch]

Actually, nearly every mainstream companies don't give windows XP CD's with their PC's, it's in the small print on the contract you sign

it says you can phone them up and ask you to send them a CD that'll install windows on your PC for you.

I did this with TIME, and you know what they sent me? a Norton ghost of another computer that was in FAT32 format, and as you know, NTFS is the filing system windows XP likes to work on so I just went out and bought windows XP pro officially and I've bene happy ever since.

 

[Grunt]

This is why I always build my own comp and get the OS OEM.

What's the purpose of the format? If you just want to reinstall XP or juggle your partitions you can do what's been mentioned. If you want to literally wipe everything for some reason, I'd do a low-level format. Should be able to get a program (that you'll boot to via a floppy) from your HDD manufacturers website.

 

[Ezekiel]

Really? I seem to recall trying to do that on a 98SE OS and it wouldn't let me. How exactly would that work? If all the system files are on C, how can it format it? It wouldn't be able to access the system files anymore. Unless the important **** is being held in RAM, which I wouldn't be surprised.

It's not being held in your ram.. Your ram clears itself on every restart...Plus the cab files that you are talking about are fairly large...

You should have System Restore Disks.... Unless you bought that system used

in which case, you might be hooped!


Do you have the CD-Key Sticker for XP on your system somewhere? If you did you could borrow a budies XP disk and use your own Serial #.

 

[trunks2k]

It's not being held in your ram.. Your ram clears itself on every restart...Plus the cab files that you are talking about are fairly large...

Well I know RAM clears itself on every restart, I'm talking about the OS even being able to run while formatting the disk it's on. I would expect that after the format you wouldn't be able to reboot into it. XP is a memory hog, that's why I wouldn't be surprised if it holds a lot of the current important junk in RAM while it runs.

 

[cabbitgrrrl]

Hi, Can I format a hard drive on a XP Computer?


Thanks, Robert.

yes, but dont forget to burn off a copy of slackware before you do so
www.slackware.com