XP Pro Full HDD format?

Trezz_au · 20-April-04, 03:28 PM

Hi,

I've been trying to do a full hdd format on an already install xp pro OS.

When I used to do it on Win 98 it was easy to just throw in a boot disk, go to a dos prompt & whamo...

I have no idea how to do it in XP???...

I could sure use some help, but please keep it newbie simple please

Cheers

Trezz

biohazardpc · 20-April-04, 03:35 PM

Get into your bios and have it boot from cd..Then when it askes to press any key to boot from cd then do so..When you have the option of deleating your current partisions do so and reformat them..

Amd4Me · 20-April-04, 03:36 PM

wel trez good news do the same thing u did with windows 98 boot from a floppy, format the drive then goto the cdrom:\i386 then type winnt and boom there ya go hope it helps

heres a web page too http://www.tweakxp.com/tweak362.aspx

edit: (lol one min apart) or you can do what he said

TekXoID · 20-April-04, 03:39 PM

If you're formatting the boot disk, boot to your XP CD and after selecting install and hdd, select to perform a full NTFS format.

If you're formatting a secondary disk;
Start>Run>Type "CMD">Type FORMAT drive_letter_here: /FS:NTFS /V:HD
Enter the volume label desired when prompted and proceed with format.

Trezz_au · 20-April-04, 03:46 PM

I'll give it a go...I did manage to format the partion, however it still keep all my files on c drive. Problem is I have some stupid worm, and even though I've cleaned it, it must be reciprocating itself to other parts of the HDD; mouse pointer goes burserk & pulls all kinds of stuff, hence the full format needed.

Thanks for your help, much appreicated

nev_payne · 20-April-04, 04:05 PM

Im lost..you say it keeps all of files on drive C when you partitioned it - surley all of those files are now corrupt - unless you didnt want them....

Yes as above wither boot from CD ROM in bios, or use the boot disk, then type in the CD DRIVE letter (eg d

D:\ (ENTER)
CD I386 (ENTER)
WINNT (ENTER)

this take you itno an area of the XP instalation that is rarly touched - only used for a DOS startup

Kage · 20-April-04, 04:23 PM

When formatting, make sure you do a full fledged format and not some quick format BS. Made that mistake twice, never again.

Higgs · 20-April-04, 05:38 PM

What type of problems did you have with a quick format? I have done the quick format many times and didn't have any problems.

corruptjoker · 20-April-04, 05:41 PM

Another option is a low level format.
What brand of harddrive is it?
Go to the manufacturers website and download the disk utility and do a low level format. That will take a couple hours but will totally erase the disk no questions asked.

Trezz_au · 22-April-04, 04:11 AM

Hi all,

Ok...I've done it.

Firstly I did a fdisk, then from a dos prompt did a full format of c drive.

Did go to SeaGate to get grab a low level format tool, but couldn't figure out how to use it; see told I was a newbie.

Anyway all taken care of and fresh install of XP now running.

The most frustrating thing...After the fresh install and everything, the mouse pointer was still going berserk & pulling up windows & cr#p. Turns out the mouse was f#cked, bought a new one & everything is fine now.

O'Well needed a fresh install anyway!

Thanks for everyone who posted their help, much appreciated!

Cheers

Trezz

corruptjoker · 22-April-04, 04:58 AM

anytime man...

20-April-04, 03:28 PM		#1 (permalink)
Trezz_au Apex Techie Wannabe	XP Pro Full HDD format? Hi, I've been trying to do a full hdd format on an already install xp pro OS. When I used to do it on Win 98 it was easy to just throw in a boot disk, go to a dos prompt & whamo... I have no idea how to do it in XP???... I could sure use some help, but please keep it newbie simple please Cheers Trezz

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20-April-04, 03:35 PM		#2 (permalink)
biohazardpc H.A.L.O.-Hoe	Get into your bios and have it boot from cd..Then when it askes to press any key to boot from cd then do so..When you have the option of deleating your current partisions do so and reformat them..

20-April-04, 03:36 PM		#3 (permalink)
Amd4Me Apex Master Tech	wel trez good news do the same thing u did with windows 98 boot from a floppy, format the drive then goto the cdrom:\i386 then type winnt and boom there ya go hope it helps heres a web page too http://www.tweakxp.com/tweak362.aspx edit: (lol one min apart) or you can do what he said

20-April-04, 03:39 PM		#4 (permalink)
TekXoID Banned	If you're formatting the boot disk, boot to your XP CD and after selecting install and hdd, select to perform a full NTFS format. If you're formatting a secondary disk; Start>Run>Type "CMD">Type *FORMAT drive_letter_here: /FS:NTFS /V:HD* Enter the volume label desired when prompted and proceed with format.

20-April-04, 03:46 PM		#5 (permalink)
Trezz_au Apex Techie Wannabe	I'll give it a go...I did manage to format the partion, however it still keep all my files on c drive. Problem is I have some stupid worm, and even though I've cleaned it, it must be reciprocating itself to other parts of the HDD; mouse pointer goes burserk & pulls all kinds of stuff, hence the full format needed. Thanks for your help, much appreicated

20-April-04, 04:05 PM		#6 (permalink)
nev_payne Apex Tech God	Im lost..you say it keeps all of files on drive C when you partitioned it - surley all of those files are now corrupt - unless you didnt want them.... Yes as above wither boot from CD ROM in bios, or use the boot disk, then type in the CD DRIVE letter (eg d D:\ (ENTER) CD I386 (ENTER) WINNT (ENTER) this take you itno an area of the XP instalation that is rarly touched - only used for a DOS startup

20-April-04, 04:23 PM		#7 (permalink)
Kage Lokie's Personal WU-Hoe	When formatting, make sure you do a full fledged format and not some quick format BS. Made that mistake twice, never again.

20-April-04, 05:38 PM		#8 (permalink)
Higgs Apex Advanced Techie	What type of problems did you have with a quick format? I have done the quick format many times and didn't have any problems.

20-April-04, 05:41 PM		#9 (permalink)
corruptjoker Decept-Hoe-Con	Another option is a low level format. What brand of harddrive is it? Go to the manufacturers website and download the disk utility and do a low level format. That will take a couple hours but will totally erase the disk no questions asked.

22-April-04, 04:11 AM		#10 (permalink)
Trezz_au Apex Techie Wannabe	Hi all, Ok...I've done it. Firstly I did a fdisk, then from a dos prompt did a full format of c drive. Did go to SeaGate to get grab a low level format tool, but couldn't figure out how to use it; see told I was a newbie. Anyway all taken care of and fresh install of XP now running. The most frustrating thing...After the fresh install and everything, the mouse pointer was still going berserk & pulling up windows & cr#p. Turns out the mouse was f#cked, bought a new one & everything is fine now. O'Well needed a fresh install anyway! Thanks for everyone who posted their help, much appreciated! Cheers Trezz

22-April-04, 04:58 AM		#11 (permalink)
corruptjoker Decept-Hoe-Con	anytime man...