does XP install format your HD ?

Question

I was able to create a bootable start-up CD using the terrific resource at the Ultimate Bootable CD for Windows site.

Unfortunately, that UBCD4Win bootable CD doesn't include a utility to format the hard drive.

I wanted to completely format my HD before re-installing XP, and I wanted to make partitions on the newly formatted HD before re-installing XP.

Now, it's my understanding that the installation CD for Win XP will ask me what partition I desire to install XP onto. But don't those partitions already have to exist and be write-ready?

Here's the sum of what I'd like help with:
(1) blank out my HD, secure-erasing all data
(2) format the HD, creating a 6 gig partition for XP install, and the other 14 gig for everything else
(3) install XP onto the 6 gig partition

Any tips on best method for especially (1) and (2) ?

My hard drive is 20GB and it's Drive 0 on the Primary IDE.
Thanks in advance!

volcano11 · Answer

The Windows XP setup that loads from the Windows XP CD, gives you all the options you need. If there are existing partitions on the drive it allows you to delete them. If there are no existing partitions, it allows you to create them. It also allows you to format existing partitions or newly created ones. In short, you do not need the bootable CD that you created. Everything can be done from the Windows XP CD.

Steve

VoiS2 · Answer

Thanks a lot. That's everything I was looking for!

Windows General

does XP install format your HD ?

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