How to format c: w/XP (upgrade version)

[Mike]

How do I format my hard drive when I have XP. I only have
the upgrade version. I also have 98. I tried using a
system disk and fdisk and my computer would not recognize
format c:.

How do I wipe my hard drive?

Help?

Thanks,
Mike

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Mike;
Follow this for a Clean Installation:
Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key and follow the
prompts for a Clean installation:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
You will need the Windows 98 CD in step 4b as qualifying media.
Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase all data on the
hard drive.
Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.

After you are finished, you will need to load the appropriate drivers.

If your computer was shipped with Windows XP, these procedures may or
may not apply.
Check your manual or contact the computer manufacturer for more
details.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"Mike" > wrote in message
...
> How do I format my hard drive when I have XP. I only have
> the upgrade version. I also have 98. I tried using a
> system disk and fdisk and my computer would not recognize
> format c:.
>
> How do I wipe my hard drive?
>
> Help?
>
> Thanks,
> Mike

[Alex Nichol]

Mike wrote:

>How do I format my hard drive when I have XP. I only have
>the upgrade version. I also have 98. I tried using a
>system disk and fdisk and my computer would not recognize
>format c:.

Run the CD from the existing system. Enter Install, change Upgrade to
New Install, then when it asks you to confirm where, you can hit ESC and
get the chance to select the current partition, delete it, and create
a new RAW one, going on to format it as part of the setup

I think that this will also have detected that it was a legitimate
upgrade, and not even ask for the previous system's CD as evidence, but
am not certain on that

First read up at www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm and particularly the Hint in
formatting drive to conserve one 'life' in Product activation


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K.