Format

[Earl Bross]

Hi Group,

I have recently had a large number of problems with 2 harddrives. Neither of
them lets me use the Windows XP (Home or Pro Edition)CD to get onto my
harddrive and format it completely. My only option available is to
purchase(or rent) a mechanical tool to format them here at home. Can anyone
recommend such a tool. What are they precisely called? I'd love to buy one
for home use.
I'd appreciate any and all help I could get.

Thanks

Earl (Canadian in germany)

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

I have no idea what method you are using in an attempt to reformat
your drives, but a "mechanical tool" is not one I'm familiar with. I can
propose two methods to help you out.

Method #1

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

Method #2

DriveScrubber is a utility designed to securely wipe all data
from any hard or floppy drive, regardless of its file format or
operating system. Its purpose is to ensure the safety, privacy,
and security of private, personal, confidential, or proprietary
information. You can try it free for thirty days.
http://www.iolo.com/ds/

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Earl Bross" > wrote in message:
...

| Hi Group,
|
| I have recently had a large number of problems with 2 harddrives. Neither of
| them lets me use the Windows XP (Home or Pro Edition)CD to get onto my
| harddrive and format it completely. My only option available is to
| purchase(or rent) a mechanical tool to format them here at home. Can anyone
| recommend such a tool. What are they precisely called? I'd love to buy one
| for home use.
| I'd appreciate any and all help I could get.
|
| Thanks
|
| Earl (Canadian in germany)
|
|