trying to format my laptop with original cd?

Question

hi im trying to format my (toshiba sp4600 LAPTOP) with the copy of windows xp service pack 2 that i put on it in the first place only because the usb ports wont accept my usb modem and other things however when i press F2 at the beginning of bootup and press c to boot from cd rom it then asks me for another command and i dont know what it is please help unless theres another way to format my laptop ---- the command i get is /boot> what comes next

cheers

Answer 1

there are 2 ways

1. if it comes up as a command prompt c:/ then type in fdisk follow the onscreen instructionsthen it tells you to reboot .After it reboots at the command prompt type format c: /s then it will reformat the drive and when it is done, in the command prompt type e:, or what ever the cd drive name is and then type setup. and it will setup.

2. turn on computer putin cd after boot and login go to my computer then select the cd drive and start the installation that way.(much easier)if u can get it to work

Answer 2

you are doing the right thing by inserting the windows disc,but is this a recovery disc or a o.e.m windows disc,a recovery disc is a disc that comes bundled with the laptop and woll normally have toshiba,s logo on the disc aswell as the windows logo
you can press any key to boot from cd,i normally press the space bar but it dosent have to be c,however with regards to the boot> command this is a new one on me,as xp will not install by a d.o.s command,like windows 98 and me,so either the cd is corrupt or you need to ask toshiba for a replacement recovery disc
try to get a windows xp o.e.m disc or any other xp disc and try that in the laptop,and see if its the actual toshiba disc thats at fault
if it is the recovery disc,forget all about your modems,ect and just place the cd in the dvd-rw and then restart the laptop,then its just a case of following the on-screen prompts and completing windows xp set up
all add-ons such as usb devices can be installed after installation,windows will detect them as normal and will install them or ask for the manufacturers driver disc
then again you could just forget about windows xp and get "vista",ive been using the beta version for the last 6 months and its not bad
good luck mate

Answer 3

whilst your pc is booting up place the recovery disc into the cd/dvd rom drive, then restart your laptop, whilst it is booting up press either F12 or delete and go into the bios, once in the bios change only what i say and nothing else ok, go to boot device, then highlight your cd rom, then either with the - or + move the highlighted cd rom up so that it is alongside 1st boot up device, then press F10 and yes to exit. it should then boot from your disc when it does it should ask if you are sure you want to continue as all your data will be removed press y or enter
then sit back, let it format, and reinstall your windows.

there is another way you could put your usb right and that is to download a prog from www.drivershq.com. install the prog and let it tell you what drivers you require to be updated, if you dont want to pay for the prog just look at the information about your usb, then go to www.driverguide.com register and look up your usb in their list of drivers they have over 1/2mil drivers available for download

Answer 4

It should be the letter of your cd drive and after that setup.
so; boot>D(or other letter representing your cd drive)/:setup.
or just start without doing it and it should show you a choice if you want to boot from cd.
Another option is to go into your Bios and change the startup order.
Cheers

Answer 5

not sure why you are pushing f2 you should just have to start up with the cd in the drive, or you can put in the cd from the desktop and and run the install from there