How can I reformat my C: drive for a clean XP Pro re-install?

Question

I have an two drive (Non-RAID) Dimension XPS.  I'm looking for a way to reformat my C: drive prior to doing a clean install of XP Pro.  I've tried booting from the XP Pro CD and running a format with the QUICK and NTFS options from Recovery Console several times.  After it appears to complete successfully, and I do a DIR on the C drive to verify that the drive is empty (it says it is empty) my system proceeds to boot into the existing XP Media Center as if nothing had happened.  Everything I wanted to get rid of is still there.   I've tried a DOS disk with FORMAT.COM from my System32 folder - it won't run under DOS.  I've tried a DOS FORMAT.COM - it doesn't know SATA.  The XP operating system will not do a format on the operating system drive.   Since I'm using an OEM XP PRO w/SP2 CD I need a clean drive into which to install XP.   I can't boot from my XP Media Center DVD because my DVD drive is not in the BIOS list of bootable devices (I've posted a separate inquiry about that).   Any ideas of how I can format my C: drive will be gratefully received.

shesagordie · Answer

Desert_Ratt.

You partition and format the HD as part of reinstalling XP. It should make easier. to remove or disconnect the the second HD prior to this

You start by partitioning and formatting the hard drive that is part of reinstalling the operating system.

First, you make the CD/ROM/DVD the first boot device. Procedures for configuring a Dimension series system to boot to the CD/DVD drive.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=TT1032262

After this you can use the following instructions.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

To find the Dell reinstall guide, that's more specific to your system, go here

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1078966&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Prior to installing, remember to disconnect all external peripherals from the computer, except the keyboard, monitor and mouse.
While installing, delete all existing partitions (Paragraph 5) when you are prompted, then remake and format
them (Paragraphs 6 & 7), following by installing XP.

You will have to reload the drivers and applications, etc, that should be on the CDs sent with the computer, starting with the chipset driver.
After the installation, you will need to download and install the MicroSoft Critical Updates, plus any other updates you deem necessary, also remember to enable the firewall and install the AV software before going online.

After the XP installation is completed, then reconnect the second HD and use XP's disk management to partition and format it
.
Printing a copy of these instructions, as a reference while installing XP could also be a help.

Bev.

Desert_Ratt · Answer

Bev:  I appreciate your response - but it doesn't help with my problem.   I can boot from my XP CD.  I know how to install XP on a clean drive or over an older MS operating system.   What I can't do is reinstall XP until I format my C drive.  I haven't been able to find any way to do that.   The FORMAT.COM command in Recovery Console, which one can start from a booted XP CD, is supposed to format a C drive, but I haven't been able to get it to do that, and I haven't found any other method that will even try.   How can I format my C drive so I can do a clean install of XP?

rickmktg · Answer

@Desert_Ratt wrote:

Bev: I appreciate your response - but it doesn't help with my problem.

I can boot from my XP CD. I know how to install XP on a clean drive or over an older MS operating system.

What I can't do is reinstall XP until I format my C drive. I haven't been able to find any way to do that.

The FORMAT.COM command in Recovery Console, which one can start from a booted XP CD, is supposed to format a C drive, but I haven't been able to get it to do that, and I haven't found any other method that will even try.

How can I format my C drive so I can do a clean install of XP?

Using the Advanced Forum Search on the bottom of this page, you can quite easily find the answer to this often asked question. If you read the links, you'd see that formatting is part of the XP install process.

Desert_Ratt · Answer

Rick:

My problem is this: because I'm trying to install XP from an OEM CD, which requires an empty disk for an installation, I can't get far enough into the installation procedure to format my hard drive. That needs to be done before I start the installation.

shesagordie · Answer

JDHorns77.   Check out the following   http://www.djdenham.com/8400%20Special.htm   Bev.

JDHorns77 · Answer

I'm having the same problem with a Dimension 8400.  I can't do a clean install on my system.  When I try to boot directly from the CD ROM it get's to the point of trying to find the hard drive to partition to and it can't find my hard drive.  It's like Dell is making it hard to do a clean install?  Message Edited by JDHorns77 on 05-15-2005 11:04 PM

rickmktg · Answer

@Desert_Ratt wrote:

Rick:

My problem is this: because I'm trying to install XP from an OEM CD, which requires an empty disk for an installation, I can't get far enough into the installation procedure to format my hard drive. That needs to be done before I start the installation.

You are incorrect. There is no difference in an OEM CD and a Retail CD. If you READ the instructions and follow them down the Install path, you are given the option to remove the partitions, add new one(s), format, and the install XP.

Desert_Ratt · Answer

Whether there's a difference between the OEM CD I have and a retail copy I know not. What I do know is that the install process with the OEM CD I have stops with rejection of the product key (YES, I did make sure I typed it EXACTLY as it's printed on the label MS stuck on the CD package). I assume that's MIcrosoft's way of telling me that they mean what they say with the message on the OEM CD that it will not install on a hard drive that already contains an MS operating system.

I had a similar experience some time ago with another OEM XP CD that later installed without a problem on a system with an empty hard drive.

That tells me that I need to reformat my hard drive before I can reinstall XP with the CD I have.

BTW: I retired three years ago from an IT application development career that began in 1955 and ended in 2002. I'm not exactly a computer neophyte.

rickmktg · Answer

@Desert_Ratt wrote:

Whether there's a difference between the OEM CD I have and a retail copy I know not. What I do know is that the install process with the OEM CD I have stops with rejection of the product key (YES, I did make sure I typed it EXACTLY as it's printed on the label MS stuck on the CD package). I assume that's MIcrosoft's way of telling me that they mean what they say with the message on the OEM CD that it will not install on a hard drive that already contains an MS operating system.

I had a similar experience some time ago with another OEM XP CD that later installed without a problem on a system with an empty hard drive.

That tells me that I need to reformat my hard drive before I can reinstall XP with the CD I have.

BTW: I retired three years ago from an IT application development career that began in 1955 and ended in 2002. I'm not exactly a computer neophyte.

If it's not a Dell OEM CD, then it's not going to install period. If it is a Dell OEM CD, then you are incorrect as I've stated, and as is posted thousands of times on these forums.

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How can I reformat my C: drive for a clean XP Pro re-install?

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