how can i format hard drive in window xp?

Question

i have window xp home addition and i have some virus problem and i want to format my harddrive
so how can i format my hard drive?

Answer 1

Hey ,
Insert the windows XP disk , close the autorun window , restart your computer , when ( press any key to boot from CD .. ) shows up , press any key .
Wait a few minutes , the setup will copy some files , then a message will appear that you already have an operating system (sure choose the same partition that the Windows is installed in )
and will ask you what to do .....
Choose the way you want to format this partition ; Quick/Normal , Fat/NTFS
and proceed , then continue installing the new operating system .
NOTE : If the (Press any key to boot ....) doesn't appear , modify the bios settings to boot from CD before it boot from HardDisk .
Hope this will help

Answer 2

You can right click on the drive icon that you want to format and select the format option. But you keep the windows Xp disc reday to reload...! I can give you a link that deals with hard drive problems. Some RAM/ hard drive problems can be easily fixed yourself by using easily available tools. I found the info at http://fixit.in useful

Answer 3

The Windows XP CD has the software needed to format on it. You will need to boot to it. This might require you to set the BIOS to boot from the CD Rom first instead of the Hard Drive. Once the CD boots follow the directions and your good.

Answer 4

Greetings!

If you have the actual xp disk with the key code, you can do it off the disk. It will examine the hardware then give you a choice. You want to do a new install, you will get the format warning. Make sure you save any other programs or data you do not want to lose.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Formatting tip #1: Back-up your files (if your computer still boots to it's window).

Pre: Hard drive is "new" or "contains files or other versions or copies of windows". Make sure WinXP CD is bootable. You must have CD-Rom Drive to do this. (other ways of installing not included, yet ^_^ )

Formatting Proper:

1. Set you 1st Boot in your "Bios Setup" to CD-Rom. Save changes and restart computer.

2. Insert CD to CD-Rom while restarting. Automatically, your CD then boots the CD inside your cd-rom and Windows installation window will appear.

3. It will ask you to instlall, End user Agreement (EULA), format, and so on. After finishing with all those key pressing (based on the windows, you system will now copy the contents of the cd to your hard drive. w8 'till it boots it will boot automatically once copying of system files are finished. (Formatting is within this part) if you want to install go on with the installation hehehe.

4. you can now wait until window finishes installation.

Good luck and oh... don't forget to rate my answer.. ^_^ Thanks

Answer 6

Hi Den,
I think you can try this.
Please download the Disk Utility of the HDD from Internet. (Example for Seagate: Seagate Disk Manager).
You have to login from floppy and run the Disk Manager.
In the Utilities -->Maintenance Options--> Select Low Level Format or Zero filling as you like.
Follow the Steps displayed.

Answer 7

Start, My Computer, Right Click on Drive you want to format and click on Format

Answer 8

select new install instead of upgrade option while installing this time.. when the setup gives you a choice of where to install the os.. showing all the current partitions at the bottom of the screen.. wait and read the instructions and choices you've got there... from that screen you can delete all the partitions one by one.. and then you can create partitions too.. but my advice is that create only one partition from that menu.. . . even easier is to first install some partition software in your current OS and then delete all partitions using that software.. when this is done pop in ur XP cd and boot from it and install by making a new partition.. but again do not create partitions other than the partition in which you r going to install XP.. . . after installing XP. install some partitioning software and create rest of the partitions... . .. you can experiment as much as you like since you've backup of ur data. . . .happy experimenting...

Answer 9

do you mean re-format your hard drive? I would not try that yet.

Instead, try a system restore. Go to Start, "all programs", "accessories", "system tools", "system restore", then follow the direction and pick a date when you were not infected.

Also, try these free online scans:
http://www.bitdefender.com
http://www.ewido.net

Answer 10

First you should learn how to scan for viruses anything you download BEFORE you open it or play it. If not, then re-doing Windows won't help much because you will still be your own problem. good luck though :-)