You can do it from the XP installation CD, making sure to delete whichever partition(s) you wish before creating and formating the partition(s). The small Dell Utilities partition might be kept for convenience, and you might wish to examine any other existing partitions before deciding what to do with them.
FDISK may still be used from DOS to partition and format a hard drive, but it isn't necessary unless you wish to use FAT32 format on a partition larger than 32GB. (The XP CD artificially limits the FAT32 format to partitions of 32GB and smaller.)
That's what I did at the first try (as mentioned above). I used Windows Installation CD and delete the existing partitions
recreating new partition, and reformat the drive. But, I found old OS after I finished reinstallation (mentioned above). That's why I am thinking to find an alternative way to erase data/partition like fdisk.
Your problem is a common one. Go to Start|Run, enter
msconfig and click OK. On the BOOT.INI tab click the "Check all boot paths button." One of the two boot paths will be identified as not valid and you will be able to delete it at that time after which you will not be given a choice of operating systems at bootup.
After you do this you will receive a message from Windows advising you that you are using selective startup for troubleshooting. Check the box to tell Windows not to display the message again and it will no longer appear at startup.
I can't explain why it happens nor have I seen any procedure recommended to avoid it. If I had not experienced it I would have assumed that a user reporting it was simply incompetent and had not done a proper installation of XP.
GreyMack
2.2K Posts
0
January 26th, 2006 18:00
FDISK may still be used from DOS to partition and format a hard drive, but it isn't necessary unless you wish to use FAT32 format on a partition larger than 32GB. (The XP CD artificially limits the FAT32 format to partitions of 32GB and smaller.)
kyutaek
33 Posts
0
January 26th, 2006 19:00
kyutaek
33 Posts
0
January 26th, 2006 19:00
That's what I did at the first try (as mentioned above). I used Windows Installation CD and delete the existing partitions
recreating new partition, and reformat the drive. But, I found old OS after I finished reinstallation (mentioned above). That's why I am thinking to find an alternative way to erase data/partition like fdisk.
Denny Denham
2 Intern
•
18.8K Posts
0
January 26th, 2006 19:00
Your problem is a common one. Go to Start|Run, enter msconfig and click OK. On the BOOT.INI tab click the "Check all boot paths button." One of the two boot paths will be identified as not valid and you will be able to delete it at that time after which you will not be given a choice of operating systems at bootup.
After you do this you will receive a message from Windows advising you that you are using selective startup for troubleshooting. Check the box to tell Windows not to display the message again and it will no longer appear at startup.
Denny Denham
2 Intern
•
18.8K Posts
0
January 26th, 2006 19:00
I can't explain why it happens nor have I seen any procedure recommended to avoid it. If I had not experienced it I would have assumed that a user reporting it was simply incompetent and had not done a proper installation of XP.