Author Topic: formatting harddrive (Read 727 times)

rogerdee · « **on:** January 30, 2008, 03:23:23 PM »

hi
ok silly question
how do you format a hard drive that has windows on it so i can put a complete fresh instale on it.

i want to format my C drive then start afresh can i do this and if so how?

do i go into set up before windows starts up or something?

i can figure out most things to do with computers but not this one!

What i want to do is start from scratch then install ah on a fresh and clean system .at the moment i cant get ah to install and run i just keep getting errors.

Max · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2008, 03:45:30 PM »

right click My Computer > left click Local Disk C > select "format" from the drop-down menu. Think that should do it.

The Fugitive · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2008, 06:48:44 PM »

If I remember right, boot from your Windows disk, and I think it gives you the option to format the drive before putting windows on it, been awhile, so I'm not positive.

SNO · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2008, 07:39:54 PM »

Yes you want to format from the windows disc, but first if you want to save your email addys and bookmarks and maybe some other things you will want to run the settings and transfer wizard, I use the setting that lets me choose what stuff to save. You will see what I am talking about once you get into it. This saves alot of time once you are up and running again. Also make sure your cd/dvd drive is set to boot before the hard drive so once you delete the c drive and something goes array you can easily boot to the xp disc.

Tigger29 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2008, 07:43:50 PM »

Well.. it all depends on the windows version.

When I do a fresh install of XP, I like to select the option to edit partitions after booting with the XP CD. Then select your primary partition and delete it (follow the instructions closely).

Then tell it to install XP into the unpartitioned space.. it will then repartition and format the drive automatically.

I don't think 98/ME gives you this option... and as far as Vista goes... well who knows what it's going to want to do! Win 2000 will give you this option.

If you don't like this option, and want a bit more control over things, you can download a 98/ME bootdisk from www.bootdisk.com and boot from the floppy it will install onto. The run fdisk from DOS and you can do it all manually.

rogerdee · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2008, 09:01:00 AM »

thanks for the help guys
its windows xphome ill give it a try tonight

rogerdee · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2008, 02:59:16 PM »

Thanks for the help guys
got the harddrive wiped formatted and windows xp reinstalled.
I have everything working fine except now with my new tv i am using as a monitior my video card is not man enough.