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Could someone kindly help me guide in reformatting my HD? I would like a step by step process, as I am a bit scared to try it. I had orderd Dell XPS Desktop, it was supposed to have w98 installed, but my system seems to have bits and pieces of w95 on them, I don't know how it got there I think Dell simply installed W98 over W95 and exported. A friend suggested reformatting. I would greatly appreciate help. Thanks,purush
I just did this last night. Do you have a win 95 cd? You should need it, but if they
used and update cd instead of full version, you will need to prove you had another
version of windows. Assuming they gave you
a full version, you are ready to go.
1) First you will need your start up disk. If you don't have one, make one before you
kill windows. Also, before you format, make sure that start up disk will set up your
cd-rom (I had some problems with this myself)
2) Next, just type "format c:" at the prompt (of course without the " "). If you
have more than one partition (D, E, etc), you
will have to do it for those drives as well.
3) If your cd-rom boot up disk is on a
different disk from your start up disk,
put it in and restart your computer. If it
is on the start up disk, it should already
be functional. Put in the cd.
4) Access the cd-rom, type "setup". Follow the directions on the screen.
*Note: I had some problems with setup. It was giving me some partitioning error. If
this happens, do this instead.
1) Put in your start up disk again and restart your computer. Type "fdisk" at the prompt (This will partition your hard drive).
Say No when it asks if you want a fat32 drive. You will get some options.
2) Choose the Delete partition. Then delete the primary.
3) create partitions (Option 1). Create Primary. When that is finished create extended (I think this is what it is called
maybe secondary, but you will see what I
mean). Then create logic partition.
4) Now, go to 2) from up above with format c:. Now you will have to format c and d (you might have more partitions depending on how much space you have).
I did this last night, and it worked out great. I hope this helps and good luck.
Maybe I can help since I have formatted many times
I wouls just toss in the WIndows boot disk and once the cd rom drivers loaded I would type fidisk and delete the primary dos partition then I wold reboot so the changs take effect. leave the floppy in the drive , once your up and running typr fdisk again select create primary dos partition and if you drive is smaller than 4 gigs just use the whole drive
FOllow the prmpts in fdisk and when you are done reboot again to allow the changs to take place
Once your all booted up ( Floppy left in the drive ) type my favorite command
format c: and hit Y for yes , sit back with a Pepsi and let it format
If your floppy has the cdrom driver on it just type
"cdrom drive letter:\setup" like mine would be Q:\setup since my cdrom drive is Q
Maybe if you told me more about your system I could email you the Auto disk ver 1 it will load format for you and the all you have to do is typ Y and it has a universal driver for any cd rom
Let me know how it goes and I wish Del would get it right
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Format c: