How to format C: from a boot floppy disk?

ebo0763

ebo0763

New Member
how can i format c: from a boot disk?

Do i need a special disk? wath are the commands?
Can i have as many details as possible, because i'm not a genius...

Thank you!
 
Why couldn't you just use a XP disk? Boot to windows setup, format the drive, then switch the machine off before the installation begins?
 
if you want to use NTFS as your file system you must boot of the XP CD into recovery console

type in this command to get the format options

Code: 
C:\>format /?
Formats a disk for use with Windows XP.

FORMAT volume [/FS:file-system] [/V:label] [/Q] [/A:size] [/C] [/X]
FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/Q] [/F:size]
FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/Q] [/T:tracks /N:sectors]
FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/Q]
FORMAT volume [/Q]

  volume          Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
                  mount point, or volume name.
  /FS:filesystem  Specifies the type of the file system (FAT, FAT32, or NTFS).
  /V:label        Specifies the volume label.
  /Q              Performs a quick format.
  /C              NTFS only: Files created on the new volume will be compressed
                  by default.
  /X              Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.  All opened
                  handles to the volume would no longer be valid.
  /A:size         Overrides the default allocation unit size. Default settings
                  are strongly recommended for general use.
                  NTFS supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K.
                  FAT supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K,
                  (128K, 256K for sector size > 512 bytes).
                  FAT32 supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K,
                  (128K, 256K for sector size > 512 bytes).

                  Note that the FAT and FAT32 files systems impose the
                  following restrictions on the number of clusters on a volume:

                  FAT: Number of clusters <= 65526
                  FAT32: 65526 < Number of clusters < 4177918

                  Format will immediately stop processing if it decides that
                  the above requirements cannot be met using the specified
                  cluster size.

                  NTFS compression is not supported for allocation unit sizes
                  above 4096.

  /F:size         Specifies the size of the floppy disk to format (1.44)
  /T:tracks       Specifies the number of tracks per disk side.
  /N:sectors      Specifies the number of sectors per track.

C:\>

so format c: would just work but if you want to get specific you could use

format c: /fs:ntfs /q
 
Last edited:
Yes, but booting windows XP off of floppies takes like 3 days. Its like 5 or 6 floppies. I had to install XP on a few machines off of floppy before because of bad optical drives, and it is a pain.

You are better off just booting off a windows XP CD and running the recovery console instead of installing the OS.
 
Yeah like, when i run XP setup, i can't find it anyware this "recovery console". Is it hidden somewhere? I use Windows XP SP3(update ready) - UWIN installer, but i guess it's the same thing except there are some more stuff on it.
 
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