Formatting Help!

[werewolf]

Hey everyone,

Im having some trouble with my computer, its running xp.

I wanted to use the windows 98 startup disk to format my computer, but I do not have a floppy drive. Where can I get this on cd?

I have 3 drives, c:/ is my Operating system, d:/ is storage space, and e:/ is my recover drive so I can use my reciovery cd.

I already tryed formatting and reinstalling xp with the xp disk but it doesnt seem to have helped the problem, I want to try formatting c:/ and d:/ with the 98 startup disk, leaving the e:/ drive alone...and then installing xp.

Please help where I can get this on cd.
Thanks :)

[stiltman]

use the XP CD (if it's not a recover CD from an OEM)
Delete the C: partition
Delete the D: partition
Create a C: partition
Select new C: partition and use for XP install
Use NTFS full format (not quick format)
Install the OS

You'll notice your E: partition became D:, but you can change that in the disk manager MMC after the OS is installed

[werewolf]

Once I have deleted the C: and D: partitions...How do I make new a new partition?

Also, what is the disk manager MMC?

[stiltman]

Once I have deleted the C: and D: partitions...How do I make new a new partition?

Also, what is the disk manager MMC?

During the XP install it will ask you if you want to replair (it will find the other install) say no. Then it will show you your current partitions.
Highlight C: and press the D key on the keyboard. in the next screen press the L key. in the next screen press the enter key. Do that also for the D: partition wich now will most likely be renamed to C: and the E: will now be D: (can't remember that for sure)

Once you deleted the C and D partitions, highlight the unpartitioned space and hit the C key and the keyboard. give it the size you want and hit enter. Now highlight the partition and select it for the install.

Sorry about the obscure reference to disk manager as I create my own MMC shortcuts. For you, right click on My Computer and select manage, now click on disk management under storage. You can now create and delete all the partitions you want from there, except for where you install the OS which will give you an error if you try. You can also assign new drive letters if you wish


*disclaimer, don't do anything to your computer that your not comfirtable with, and don't take anyones word for it unless you can find it some place else....In your case http://www.microsoft.com/technet

[werewolf]

Thanks a huge amount for the help!

Ive formatted, but theres one problem...the 70GB that was in the d: drive has gone, and im not sure how to make a new partition in the computer management part.

So, I should have 70GB of unallocated space, but how to I make a partition with that?

[stiltman]

under disk management, right click on the unallocated space and select create partition....pretty sure that is, as I don't have any space left and I'm going from memory

[werewolf]

Brilliant!

Thanks again. 8)