how can i format my windows proffasional xp?

Answer 1

You cannot format windows pr xp. You can format the drive that contains windows xp. If you are using single OS (win xp) then you will need to use bootable CD to format the drive containing win xp( most probably that will be c:) After formatting the drive you will need to re-install the xp or other to make your computer work properly.

But, keep in mind formatting any drive will lose your data, if you have any critical data in the drive that you want to format then it is suggested that you keep backup that data before you format.

Also, another alternate is that try repair or re-install option from winxp cd.

Answer 2

I use a Dos 6.22 Boot Disk, I back up any and all files and drivers that are important to use and need, then I put the floppy in, and restart, set bios to boot to floppy, at the dos command, type fdisk, then I delete the non-dos active partition, this will wipe all data, then press Esc, at the next dos command, type format C:, answer Y for the question, it will format the harddrive, assuring all data loss, then after it's done, I put the XP Pro CD in the drive and reboot, this will start a clean install of the OS, then before connecting to the internet, I install the needed drivers for the PC, and the AntiVirus, and Firewall, then go from there adding your favorite apps back on to the harddrive.. Good Luck and Read This...


How do I format my hard drive under Windows XP?

There are several ways to format in XP:

1. During install
2. Using Diskmanagement under administrative tools
3. Using the recovery console
4. Using start run cmd then the format command.
5. Right click on the drive in explorer and select format.
6. Using a Win98 boot disk

Note: WinXP will not let you mess with the boot partition or system partition since both contain items required to boot and run WinXP. Thus, you should use the install process to format system and boot drive.

Here is the easiest way to perform a "Clean Install" of XP:

Using Windows XP CD:

1. Insert your XP CD in the drive while running your current installation of XP.
2. You will be given some options here. You can select:

* Clean Install
* New Installation
* Advanced

...and others I believe. But since this tutorial teaches a Clean Installation of XP, select "Clean Install".

3. Put a checkmark in the box to "designate where you want to install XP" (or some such dialog). Typically, you will choose to install XP on your C: drive.
4. Next, you will need to select the file system you wish to use. I recommend selecting NTFS as it is more sucure than the FAT32 system.
5. Setup will then format the partition you chose and then you can install XP clean on that partition. Be sure that if you have more than one partition, you select the correct one.
6. Install your Windows XP Operating System.

Using Windows 98 Boot Disk:

Get yourself a Windows 98 boot-diskette with fdisk. Delete all partitions and THEN boot from the CD. If XP's setup finds formatted partitions, it proceeds without user intervention. If it doesn't find any, setup will prompt you for partitioning and formatting.

Using Floppy Drive:

If you are not able to boot from your CD-ROM, try changing the boot order in your BIOS so that your CD-ROM boots first. If you happen to have a machine that doesn't offer a bootable CD-ROM, you can create the 6 boot discs (below) to allow booting from your Floppy drive.

Windows XP Professional Utility: Setup Disks for floppy boot install
(requires 6 floppies)

Answer 3

I am assuming that you want to reformat the drive/partition that has windows XP installed.

You will need a genuine windows professional XP boot CD in order to begin the reformat procedure. If you do not have a Windows XP boot CD (the original WindowsXP CD is usually bootable), you can create six floppy disks that will boot your computer into WindowsXP setup. To obtain these floppy disks, visit this website: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994

Once you have your boot disks in order or the boot CD, you are set to begin. First you'll have to restart your computer and change the boot order when you see the bios screen. Usually you have to hit either the F2 key or the DEL key. If you are using floppy disks, please make sure that your floppy drive boots first and if you are using a boot CD, make sure the respective CD-ROM drive boots first before anything else.

Once that is set, insert your CD and restart your computer again. This time your computer will automatically load the boot CD/disk information and you can follow the steps from there.

Answer 4

Stick the XP disc in the PC. Restart the PC and choose to format and install XP. All of your previous info will be gone.

Answer 5

use a boot cd
(they sell them in almost all the modern operating systems like mac os 9, windows 98,95,2000, and xp)
so if you want to format it then when the computer turns on go to the boot menue and make it boot from cd

note:doing this will delete everything on your computer

Answer 6

you cant format my windows proffasional xp you can format the hard drive
and is is windows xp proffasional

Formatting an Additional Drive in Microsoft Windows XP Professional

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/books/troubleshooting/pc/ls/042402.asp

from microsoft

Answer 7

do you have the windows xp professional cd?, if you do, put it in and restart your computer, and boot from cd drive, (to access boot menu, rapidly press F8 once you restart the comp)and follow the steps

Answer 8

boot to the xp disk

Answer 9

you cant format an OS
you format the hard disk



C:\> format c: