Reformatting a Hard Drive

[panthro]

I would really appreciate the help if anyone can offer it.

I want to completely reformat my hard drive and reinstall XP. I have backed up all my data on my external HDD.

I also want to partition the HDD. How do I go about doing this? Am I able to do this when reformatting in the XP setup menu?

Also, what about having to go through all the updates again? How long will that take?

Any advice is appreciated....or is there a guide on the forum on how do it properly? Cheers!

 

[ByteJuggler]

If I was you, I'd create myself an updated install CD first, that includes all the updates and patches (so called slipstreaming.)

See here:

RVM integrator
http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/index.php?download

RVM update pack
http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/

NLite:
http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html

Personally I would suggest starting with Nlite first and playing with that, then later on maybe play with the RVM tools/updates as well. Also, the best way to test your new install CD (or CD ISO image) is with a virtual machine, to make sure it works the way you want. VMWare Server can be freely downloaded and makes this a doddle. ( http://www.vmware.com/products/server/ ) Once your newly slipstreamed CD image installs just the way you want, you can burn it to a real CD and install from it.

Simple partitioning can be done from the initial (text mode) setup screen. However to avoid complications, I recommend you disconnect all hard drives apart from the one you're going to install onto, and only reconnect them once your new installation is complete and booting. (Be on the lookout that when you reconnect your other drives, that the boot order in the bios isn't inadvertently changed from booting from the newly installed drive, as some BIOS'es have a penchant for doing this. If this happens, then reset the ordering again in the BIOS.)

 

[panthro]

Awesome, thanks mate I will look at those programs!