" must ' format the desired partition drive in which you want to install your os on."
I've never done that. I leave the drive unpartitioned then at step 4 you see we select the drive and optionally can set the partition size. The Windows XP installer does the rest for us.
http://www.blackviper.com/os-install-guides/windows-xp-professional-install-guide/
Sorry but I wonder where this format prior to install idea comes from.
Bob
Dell Dimension 2400 Series Tower [32-bit]
-----------------------------------------------------------
New:
Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JB 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 / ATA-6 3.5" Hard Drive
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New:
OS = winxp pro 32-bit [ sp3 ]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
c: partiton1 [new raw] 39999 MB
d: partiton2 [new raw] 39999 MB
e: partiton3 [new raw] 39999 MB
f: partiton4 [new raw] 39999 MB
g: partiton5 [new raw] 39999 MB
h: partition6 [new raw] 32999 MB
unpartioned space 8MB
-------------------------------------------------------
new install .....
problem: cannot get past instructions / pretty much stating ' must ' format the desired partition drive in which
you want to install your os on. i'm ok'ing the request / it wont let me choose anything but c: to
format .... so I proceed on. and once format attempt is finished .... error message stating cannot
format drive [ statement : possibly damaged / possibly not plugged in ] ..... i cannot get passed this
point.
ran diagnostics on hd = pass ................... bios recognizes hd [ proper model and everything ]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
only attempt at loading any sort of drivers for pc boot process =
downloaded microsoft 6 floppies =
windowsxp-kb310994-sp2-pro-bootdisk-enu.exe
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
any suggestions on 1 or 2 specific items for me to troubleshoot ?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic