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General discussion

How can I reformat the hard drive?

by 57184558 May 24, 2007 5:30AM PDT

I'm trying to reformat my computer but there's a problem...
I right click the C: Drive, click format and when I try to start I get this:
http://www.tinyurl.com/2o234v
I tried closing all windows and exiting any programs that were running, but I still get this :/
Any help is appreciated, thanks Grin

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Simple
by jackson dougless May 24, 2007 5:43AM PDT

There's a good reason why what you're trying to do won't work, and if you think about it for a little bit, you'll probably figure it out.

Formatting your computer requires only a few simple steps, which I'll list.

1: Insert your Windows installation CD into the drive
2: Reboot the computer
3: Follow on screen instructions
3a: Be sure to remain vigilant for the screen that asks you if you wish to format the drive, and to choose one of the formatting options listed

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Well...
by 57184558 May 24, 2007 6:21AM PDT

If I have a Windows installation CD, I haven't seen it in a while <_<;
are you sure it's necessary just for formatting my hard drive?

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"Do I need the XP CD?" Yes and no.
by Kees Bakker May 24, 2007 7:22AM PDT

Yes, it's by far the most easy way.

No, you can format from the recovery console, and you can run the recovery console (after installing it on the hard disk) booting from the 6 XP setup diskettes you can download from Microsoft (see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994/)
BUT you need the XP CD to install the recovery console on the hard disk first (see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654). And supposing you didn't do that, you need the CD to start with.

The alternative would be to mount the drive as a slave in another XP system, and format it there.

One question: if you don't have a Windows CD to reinstall Windows, what would you do with a formatted hard drive?
And another question, maybe: why do you want to format?

Kees

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No
by jackson dougless May 24, 2007 7:56AM PDT

You don't need it just to format the drive, but if you don't have some sort of operating system installation disc, you're going to have a difficult time using your computer after formatting the drive.

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Oh
by 57184558 May 24, 2007 2:09PM PDT

Well...I guess I just...assumed that...after formatting...windows would still be there...ehehehe...good thing I asked. Crap, I guess I'll see if I can find it then -_-;

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