Formatting Disk help

nicksource · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:26

I set my primary boot drive to my DVDR where my Windows XP disc is. It doesn't load, I've tried disabling all other ways of booting etc with no luck.

I can load into my existing Windows and load the disk there and do an install, when the PC restarts it loads the disc and I can format/partition there.

However due to having only 1 partition I can't format it or partition it because the Windows install files are there.

I also can't format while in Windows through Cmd prompt as I'm active on the current partition.

So how do I do it?

I have no floppy drive and it's Windows XP Home.

nicksource · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:36

When I try to delete the partition it says it has Windows install files on and can not delete.

nicksource · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:47

I think it's a bootable CD, how would I know? I've tried 1st/2nd/3rd to boot from CD or 1st and all disabled etc but it won't work.

@Burnsey - Both. I have to start the install in Windows (desktop) to have it boot at startup to the install/format screen. Otherwise the disk won't boot.

nicksource · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:54

Yep, I'm guessing my disk isn't bootable just an install/repair one.

But I wouldn't of thought it would have loaded if I installed through Windows desktop and restarted into the XP setup on boot if that is true?