I need to format hard drive (due to a virus) to re-install Windows XP Pro. Help!?

Question

I recently caught a virus in my computer and need to reinstall the system (Windows XP Pro). I'm moving the hard drive to a different computer. They have told me that it's better to do the "format c:" command, rather than using the XP disk to format and install, due to me having a virus. I would like to know, if I format the drive using the "format c:" command, can I then use the XP disk to reinstall Windows or do i need a boot up disk? If so which one? Also what about the command "format c:/s"? Is that my better option? I would appreciate all the help I can get.

Answer 1

Use the windows XP disc itself... its the best thing. Boot up with the disc in the drive.
Delete the current partition and then install ur windows onto that partition itself... it'll ask u to format - choose any filesystem(NTFS better) and format n install.
everything will work fine

Answer 2

Well, I guess I agree with everyones methods of using the disc. Couple of points, NTFS is THE file system for XP, if you moved the harddrive to another computer, format C wouldn't work anyways because it wouldn't be the C drive. But I have never had to format a drive to remove a Virus, many years of servicing computers, A little known fact concerning virus removal iv XP is that quite often you need to turn off system restore first as the Virus is hidden in those files and replicates itself after being removed by the Anti-virus.

Answer 3

Do NOT use Format C:. Old DOS commands can damage newer hard drives that use variable sectors per track.

XP Pro has all the tools you need to do a "Clean Install". Back up all your personal data first. Then, go to the link below:

The Step By Step Instructions for an "XP Clean Install" are on the Sidebar.

Answer 4

The xp cd should be a bootable disk so boot your pc with windows xp cd and just follow the instuction to format and reinstall...........