how do u format XP

[Jon]

My soon to be X was nice enough to leave my computer. But
it is totaly screwed up. I tried installing a fresh copy
of XP but it only made probblems worse. Is there a way to
format the entire HD?

[R. C. White]

Hi, Jon.

Microsoft made this simple:

Step 1: Boot from the WinXP CD-ROM and follow the prompts, including the
first one to partition (optional) and format the HD.

Step 2: There is no Step 2. ;<)

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP

"Jon" > wrote in message
...
> My soon to be X was nice enough to leave my computer. But
> it is totaly screwed up. I tried installing a fresh copy
> of XP but it only made probblems worse. Is there a way to
> format the entire HD?

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Jon;
Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
Disconnect network/modem cable.
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
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.

Enable or install firewall BEFORE connecting network cable.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673

Install ALL Critical Windows Updates:
Start/All Programs/Windows Update

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
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"Jon" > wrote in message
...
> My soon to be X was nice enough to leave my computer. But
> it is totaly screwed up. I tried installing a fresh copy
> of XP but it only made probblems worse. Is there a way to
> format the entire HD?

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

RC;
Actually there is some preparation advisable.
As a minimum disconnect the network/modem cable before starting.
There are many reports of computers becoming infected with Blaster
immediately after installation before any opportunity to enable the
firewall.
There can be others, but this one may prevent the necessity of a
reinstall immediately a reinstall.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"R. C. White" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, Jon.
>
> Microsoft made this simple:
>
> Step 1: Boot from the WinXP CD-ROM and follow the prompts,
including the
> first one to partition (optional) and format the HD.
>
> Step 2: There is no Step 2. ;<)
>
> RC
> --
> R. C. White, CPA
> San Marcos, TX
>
> Microsoft Windows MVP
>
> "Jon" > wrote in message
> ...
> > My soon to be X was nice enough to leave my computer. But
> > it is totaly screwed up. I tried installing a fresh copy
> > of XP but it only made probblems worse. Is there a way to
> > format the entire HD?
>
>

[Rich Barry]

Jon, if you have the WinXP CD then it will format and even create new
partitions for you. Check here
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/WinXP/Q_20640584.html
"Jon" > wrote in message
...
> My soon to be X was nice enough to leave my computer. But
> it is totaly screwed up. I tried installing a fresh copy
> of XP but it only made probblems worse. Is there a way to
> format the entire HD?

[R. C. White]

Hi, Jupiter.

Thanks for the catch. I focused on Jon's question: how to format the HD.
Since I'm just a one-man, one-computer, one-POTS-phone-line kind of guy with
no net but the Internet, my mindset often overlooks network issues. In my
longer posts, I generally add that, after an in-place upgrade, for example,
the user should visit Windows Update as soon as he can get back online
(after getting the firewall and antivirus protection back in place) to be
sure he has SP1 and other fixes.

Oh, well, I guess there is a Step 2, after all. ;^{

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" > wrote in message
...
> RC;
> Actually there is some preparation advisable.
> As a minimum disconnect the network/modem cable before starting.
> There are many reports of computers becoming infected with Blaster
> immediately after installation before any opportunity to enable the
> firewall.
> There can be others, but this one may prevent the necessity of a
> reinstall immediately a reinstall.
>
> --
> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
> http://dts-l.org/index.html
>
>
> "R. C. White" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi, Jon.
> >
> > Microsoft made this simple:
> >
> > Step 1: Boot from the WinXP CD-ROM and follow the prompts,
> including the
> > first one to partition (optional) and format the HD.
> >
> > Step 2: There is no Step 2. ;<)
> >
> > RC
> >
> > "Jon" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > My soon to be X was nice enough to leave my computer. But
> > > it is totaly screwed up. I tried installing a fresh copy
> > > of XP but it only made probblems worse. Is there a way to
> > > format the entire HD?