format

S

spankdog19

New Member
I have windows xp on my computer. I would like to reformat my c dirve and reinstall the windows xp again.
my problem is:
First, I created a start up disk(format a: with create DOS startup disk checked). Then I start my computer with the start up disk. When I am in a://, I typed in format c: , it gives me "invalid command.."
Any idea?

Thanks in advance for your help
 
It needs more info, particularly which file system to use. Type in "format /?" and it will give you the syntax. Typing a /? after any command will bring up the help header and tell you what format you need to use.

but you don't even have to do that. Just put the Xp cd in the drive and boot off of it. Tell it to install windows and say that you want to proceed when it detects another installation. You don't want to repair, you want to install. It will bring you to a screen asking where you want to install it. You will see some options to delete, add and format partitions. Delete the partitions that you want, then make a new one in it's place formatted to the FS of your choice (i suggest NTFS). Now install to that "new" drive.
 
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go to bootdisk.com and download the win98se boot disk. make the disk. Reboot the system with the disk as first in the startup list. It will ask to boot with cdrom support or without.. choose with. At that point all the stuff should be fine.. so when you then type format c: it will work fine, and find it. If you go to the options window and go to the command prompt it wont work.. need those drivers n crap loaded.
 
I tried to delete my C: partition in disk management but it won't allow me to delete the partition.
The other way I tried is to use the installation CD. However, after I clicked on new installation, it gave me a prompt and said that my current OS is newer and the installation cannot be continued. So I guess the CD doesn't work either
Does anyone know any other way to delete the partition?

Thanks in advance for your help
 
which cd you using? The XP install CD will whine at you if you try and reinstall windows on a computer already running windows. Just ignore it. When you boot off the CD tell it you want to install windows. It will say it's detected a current version and ask if you want to install anyway. Say YES. It should bring you up to the screen letting you pick where to install it. There you can format the heck out of the drive and install fresh
 
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