I have forgotten how to format my disk or FDISK

[MorseLady]

It is a long time since I did an FDISK or formatted a hard disk and I am not as competent as I was, forget I ever did MCP courses etc! I am really ashamed to ask but please in easy to understand steps remind me how do I completely clean my disk so I can start again?

Thanks to PM8 and NIS 2008 and maybe my own incompetence I have had two major crashes and my disk and Windows is completely messed up and I have no option. Everything is backed up to DVD and to another machine and I just want to get on with it now. I seem to remember when I did FDISK before having to use the floppy drive to issue the DOS command and I am OK on changing the boot order in setup but I just can't rtemember how I get the FDISK Command. It was easy - once!

I am running XP Pro SP3 on a 160GB hard drive with data and photo partitions.

[Ferrit]

First off there is no need to be ashamed. Forgetting is something we all do unless we do this stuff all the time.
In your case I would assume that you need to put the XP cd in the cdrom and then boot up and let it go to the cdrom. Your system should be new enough that you can press F10 or F11 or F12 and it will present you with a boot menu.
Now should this not be the case you can enter the bios as the computer first boots up and find the "boot order" and set the cdrom/cdrw/dvd/dvdrw to boot first.
Some good information on setting the bios boot order here
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1785998,00.asp
More here on partitioning off the xp cd
http://www.theeldergeek.com/hard_drives_03.htm

[NooNoo]

To make the hard drive "blank", use the XP boot cd as described in the eldergeek, but use the Delete Partition (D) option offered on the blue screen. XP wants to make sure you really really mean it, so it asks you again and then you have to press L to delete the partition. Do this for the windows partition - you don't have to delete the data partition unless you want to.

Once deleted, you can recreate the same partition(s) and then install windows on the partition you select.

[MorseLady]

The whole disk is corrupted and I may have a nasty on the computer, I certainly have a denial of service on the old copy of Windows XP after trying to instal NIS 2008 which version of XP when I installed this copy put itself on one of my data drives and I have all sorts of conflicts including cannot instal Windows Updates downloaded.

A few weeks ago PM8 managed to hide about 40GB on one of my data partitions and I got this back by formatting the partition but of course Windows won't allow that now it has saved put a former version on there.

I really would prefer to wipe and format the whole disk and start again with a blank canvass I would like to use FDISK if someone could remind me how to get the command prompt that allows this please. I am not worried about my data because it is backed up both in discs and another computer.

Just a thought could I merge all my drives ie one primary system and two data and then use the XP disk to delete and reformat the one partition existing? I kmnow a merge of three partitions on an early full 160GB disk will take time, could leave it running overnight or whilst I watch TV or something.

[NooNoo]

Sure then just delete all the partitions and start over.

I usually make a partition of about 25 or 30gb for Windows and programs, the rest I create when windows has installed and I can decide what I want in the extended partition (and how big the logical drives should be).

Oh if you suspect corruption, then you should not use the quick format option. The other option takes longer but updates the bad block table so that bad blocks are not used when you store data on the drive.

[Ferrit]

Getting to Fdisk only requires a win98 bootdisk from
www.bootdisk.com Make the disk and boot to it and then
when it stops at the A: type Fdisk

[MorseLady]

Noo I cannot delete the partitions Windows won't let me.

Ferrit that's it I remember now and thanks for reminding me how to do FDISK and I still have my W98 bootdisk.

Just a point, if I eventually buy a new Vista PC the one I want has no option to add a floppy drive. Guess I will look round again.

[NooNoo]

You can only do it from Windows setup - not within windows itself.

[MorseLady]

OK I will try again that's what I tried to do but the delete partition thing did not come up. I am now getting very confused and have decided to let the shop do it if I cannot crack it today.

I have tried to get FDISK from my W98 boot disk and it kept telling me it did not recognise the command.

[t34b4g5]

OK I will try again that's what I tried to do but the delete partition thing did not come up. I am now getting very confused and have decided to let the shop do it if I cannot crack it today.

I have tried to get FDISK from my W98 boot disk and it kept telling me it did not recognise the command.

Greetings.

I would recommened that you take a look at this website:>

http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm

scroll down to Step #3: The text-based portion of the Setup program

Follow the instructions, and even click on the thumbnails just in case.

I hope this helps you solve your problem.

[Ferrit]

Morse lady. adding a floppy is pretty simple internally with an old fashioned one or externally with a usb floppy

[t34b4g5]

Morse lady. adding a floppy is pretty simple internally with an old fashioned one or externally with a usb floppy

A usb floppy would most likely be the better road to take, a lot of new machine's here in Aus don't even come with a floppy drive slot, and if you pop open the casing there usually is not a ide spot on the mobo to even install one.

[MorseLady]

I have installed a fresh copy of Windows using the XP Pro OEM setup disk but I had to run setup three times before it would let me see the partition options. I have also formatted the corrupt data drive and was able to keep my photo drive which is nearly 50GB of photos!

I am now in the process of configuring Windows having already set up display, network/internet connection and security/antivirus in that order and I never have problems with installing and configuring drivers. This is the fun part

Thanks for your help.

[NooNoo]

Glad you got it all sorted Angie. Take care.

[Ferrit]

Awesome its coming together for you now. I might refrain from using PM it is a troublesome program and your best to use the windows partitioning software anyway. I know people use it sucessfully but after it over lapped 2 partitions and messed the drive up i dont use it at all