how do i format my C:\ drive on windows XP?

Question

are there requirements like software CD's and other stuff, or just the windows CD will do it? refer to websites if possible. if not plz Step By Step..
Thanx in advance

Answer 1

1. Make sure you have copied off everything you want to keep from your drive.

2. put the xp cd in your drive and restart your computer - watch the screen for the prompt to boot from cd press any key. Press any key

3. Wait for it to load - can take a few mins, and then follow the on screen instructions for installing a fresh copy of windows - not the options to repair. Select C: as the drive and it will give you the choice of format type - either qucik or full - select full. Once this is done it will start to reinstall XP.

NOTE: if you don't get the option to boot from cd then you need to go to the bios - usually f4 or delete key during boot up and find the boot sequence menu - select cd drive as main drive - restart and follow instructions again.

Answer 2

Put your Windows CD (or recovery disk) into your CD drive
Boot up the computer
Should start the Windows install
Right after you do the F8 to agree, it will ask you if you want to format the C drive. Select NTFS format and let it proceed
If you want to reinstall in Windows, let the set up continue
If not, turn off the PC once the format is completed

Note that formatting your C drive will delete everything that is on it. So be sure you want to do that...

Answer 3

if you have windows xp disc that will format the hard drive. but if no you have to make a bootup disc.Put a floopy disc in the a: drive open my computer an then right click on the a: drive then click format after that right click on the a: drive again then click create startup disk.Put it in the a:/ drive an then restart your pc wait for like 2 min. then type fdisk an delete you parportion then hit esc the pc will restart . when it does leave the floopy in wait like 2 min again when the a:/ comes up type format c: an hit enter the hit y for yes to format your hard drive.

if you have any other question's email me at [e-mail]

Answer 4

Backup anything you want to put back after the format

You have to format it with your Windows installation disk

boot from the cd, it prompts you to press any key to do this

choose to overwrite existing files.

choose either quick or full format

choose NTFS or FAT32 file system, NTFS is specifically designed for NT & XP

Have your windows key ready and key it in when asked

Follow the screen prompts, it takes about an hour

don't let it set up your internet connection, choose to do that manually

choose regional settings, language and keyboard

when installation is finished you need your driver software for display, sound, modem, keyboard, any external drive, USB, printer, LAN. Install all these

go to start button, internet connections and use your ISP provided settings to set up your internet connection.

restore set up files for any software you want to install.

Answer 5

Before you shoot yourself in the foot, I need to know more about why you want to do this. It ain't a good idea for someone who don't know how to format the C drive to be asking the question.

Answer 6

Very tough cuz windows doesn't like that.

You may have to boot from a boot disk or thumb drive. Or go to your bios settings and delete the partition from there.

go to bootdisk.com to find boot disk images, if necessary.

Answer 7

It's not a good idea to format your C drive.

The command to do it is format C:

But don't do it unless you're sure you want to save nothing that is currently on that drive.

Answer 8

What I did was installing save format program and

Answer 9

the easy answer is to genuine click my laptop and choose progressed. In startup and restoration set the time postpone to 0 seconds. completely secure, no probability to any documents. you should use the 2dpersistent to place in programmes to and for documents storage.