Need help formatting C:

regulus · 28 Nov 2006 at 15:12

Simple question: How do I format my C:? I've tried the command prompt in Windows but it obviously don't work from there. I know I shoud restart but how do I get a DOS prompt to format before booting up XP?

Eriedor · 28 Nov 2006 at 15:16

make a good old win 98 bootdisk from www.bootdisk.com

Booting from that will give you an a:\ prompt where u can format c:

regulus · 28 Nov 2006 at 15:18

Would've been easy...if I had a floppy (is that what you used to call it ? :confused:

) drive. Must be some other way?

Gavstar · 28 Nov 2006 at 15:19

formatting c: with a view to what?

If its to (re)install an OS, then most come on a bootbale disk that will do it as part of the installation process.

J.T · 28 Nov 2006 at 15:21

Assuming you have a Windows XP CD, boot from it and then go through the install to the bit where you can format your drive, format your drive then either continue with the install or quit out before it starts depending on what you want to do.

regulus · 28 Nov 2006 at 15:21

Yeah, to do a fresh install. I did pop in my XP disc but it just seems to start the install. I really wanna format first since I manage to get a nasty virus that I just cannot get rid off.

regulus · 28 Nov 2006 at 15:22

J.T said:
Assuming you have a Windows XP CD, boot from it and then go through the install to the bit where you can format your drive, format your drive then either continue with the install or quit out before it starts depending on what you want to do.

It doesn't wanna boot. I restarted with the disc in the dvd tray but it just goes straight to Windows.

J.T · 28 Nov 2006 at 15:22

If you choose to do a full format instead of quick format during installation it will delete everything including the Virus.

You need to select CD/DVD as the first boot device in the Bios or boot up menu if you have a boot menu.

Normally you can hit F12 (I think it's F12 anyway) to enter the boot menu else you can press "Del" to get into the Bios and set it there.

regulus · 28 Nov 2006 at 15:25

Sweet, I'll try the F12

J.T · 28 Nov 2006 at 15:26

If F12 doesn't work just go into the Bios and set it there, it should be fairly obvious where the setting is in the bios.

FerretBoy · 28 Nov 2006 at 15:44

F8 is common too (which is a pain as it's also for Windows boot options).

regulus · 28 Nov 2006 at 16:03

Ok, problem time. I did all that and got up to the part where I can do a format...of my E:

It's not allowing me or giving me an option to format C:
I can install another OS on the partition if I want, just not format the partition.
New hard drive time?

regulus · 28 Nov 2006 at 16:34

everyone out of ideas??

snowdog · 28 Nov 2006 at 16:48

regulus said:
everyone out of ideas??

Win98 bootup CD, not floppy...

I dont know exactly how but my dad made one with nero...

Captain Fizz · 28 Nov 2006 at 16:56

regulus said:
It's not allowing me or giving me an option to format C:

Is your C: on a SATA HDD?

If so, you'll need to use your SATA Drivers disk (floppy).
You don't have one of these (exceedingly handy bits of kit that I wouldn't be without) then if it is a SATA drive, you'll need to incorporate them onto an XP disk using nLite.

If you don't have another PC to create this disk - Then things get trickier.

Obviously if your C: is an IDE drive - This post is irrelivent.

regulus · 28 Nov 2006 at 17:11

It's IDE, a normal 80gig ata

Gavstar · 28 Nov 2006 at 17:22

If you are able to boot into the windows installation then you should definitely be able to format the c: drive.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

Mindriot · 28 Nov 2006 at 17:31

Download a copy of knoppix linux - it runs from a live cd and use qparted - never tried it myself, but it might work

J.T · 28 Nov 2006 at 17:34

You may have to select the C: drive and then hit "D" to delete the partition before it will let you format it under the XP installation.

try that and let us know.

rickyt · 28 Nov 2006 at 18:36

If you have a XP disk , this contains the necessary files to either repair a bad XP installation or start a fresh . As you boot up , enter the BIOS and make sure you you first boot from a CD drive [it may be IDE0 now]. Put the XP disk into the drive and watch the screen carefully , as it recognises the CD disk it will only give you a few seconds to press any key to load .
Follow the instructions , you can repair or re-install .You re-install by formatting the drive in NTFS .Everything is straight forward from then on. This will not work if you have a brand new drive ....this has to be partitioned using fdisk on a Windows 98 disk .
Again dead easy . Download a boot disk from the Bootdisk.c-o-m. Change the BIOS to boot from floppy . Insert floppy and boot up. You have the option to load with CD drivers or without .Does'nt matter , but I always use without .The floppy will load the needed files and give you a A:\ prompt . Type fdisk , type 1 , then 1 again and wait for it do the business .It will want you to re-boot , So ,press Ctrl -Alt & Del and it will re-boot .
Load without CD drivers again , and it will give you the same A:\ prompt . This time type in format C: , you will get some text wanting you to type a 'y' do so and wait .An 80 gig drive may only show up as a 10 gig , dont worry , after formatting it will show up correctly .
Remember , the drive will be formatted as FAT32 but it will be ready for your XP disk as long as you format from the XP disk in NTFS.If you want to load XP , change the BIOS to boot from CD drive. If you just want to use this drive as a backup, link it to your PC through the secondary IDE lead as master or slave.Once recognised in windows , right click the drive - format as NTFS. However you can still load windows onto a FAT32 drive, but ,there are advantages in doing it in NTFS.