Help reformating & installing XP please

[Pack'nHeat]

Sorry for such a n00b question. I have never had to do this before. I was just using a Ghost image when needed.

Just a few question if I may.

On reboot, what button do I tap to get a DOS prompt?

What exactly do I type to reformat drive C (it is partitioned)?

Then I reboot with the XP disk in and install -> then install my motherboards drivers -> then all other drivers, correct?

Thank you for your help and any extra tips. :)

[Billforce]

On boot hit F8 to get to the dos prompt, although you don't need to format because when you boot from the WinXP cd to install, it willl ask you if you wish to format...NTSF or FAT32...either full or quick format option also. Once XP is installed, then use XP to format the other partition.

[Direct1]

Right... Just make sure you set your bootup sequence in the BIOS to CD-ROM as first boot device. Put your XP CD in and reboot. You can create your partitons and format as you wish. Good luck! :t

[Swordfish]

For WinXPpro:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdoldhdd/index.htm

WinXp Home:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxphome/installxpcdoldhdd/index.htm

[Pack'nHeat]

Thank you for the replies guys. :)

My hard drive is partitioned 20/100GB. I don't want to lose my 100GB D partition. To reformat C, I have to delete that partition then recreate a new partition in that exact spot, correct?

I just don't want to screw up my D partition.

Thanks

[Direct1]

When you boot from the XP CD, you have the option to delete that partition only, re-create it and format. Then install to it, without touching the other partitions. Good luck! :t

[Pack'nHeat]

Thank you. :)

[Imperion1]

You do not need to repartition the drive. Just have XP format drive c: using either Fat32 or NTFS.

[Pack'nHeat]

hmmm... Sounds less confusing. Thank you.

[Pack'nHeat]

I didn't get very far. :(

On the 3rd screen it says:

The following list shows the existing partitions and unpartitioned space on this computer.

...and in the bottom box it says:

[b]Unknown Disk
<There is no disk in thise drive. >
95395 MB Disk 0 at ID 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]
C: Partition1 <WD5_100GB> [FAT32] 95394 MB <7936 MB free>[/b)

I have 2 120GB drives on the motherboard, same cable same ide port
One is patterned 20/100GB. Why is my 20GB partition not showing up?

:confused:

Please help

[Johnny Fist]

What does it say if you unplug the second drive (the slave drive) and try to do the install again?

[Imperion1]

What mobo do you have?
Only asking because with my Epox 8k3a+ I have to have the Bios setup to see my drives in order for XP to be able to see and format them.
On my 8rda3+ I don't have to have the Bios see the drives.