How to completely erase partition/data...fdisk or debug?

Question

I have inspiron 6000 and want to erase the existing data/partition. At the first time, I used windows XP

setup CD for repartition, reformat and reinstallation. But, after finshing the work, whenever

I boot the computer, there's a black screen pops up and ask me to choose which OS I want to use.

It looks like the old OS was not erased.

Then, I though I need to do it by using "fdisk." But, I don't have DOS program including "fdisk."

I am wondering if Dell diagnostics CD has "fdisk." When I searched the tech documents,

all assumed that I need dos program in floppy disk, which is out dated. Also, I heard I can

do it by using "debug command." But, I don't know how to do it.

What I want to do now is to completely erase all data/partition and recreate/format the hard drive

to be ready for OS installation. Thanks for your help in advance.

GreyMack · Answer

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.)

GM

kyutaek · Answer

Denny Durham,  thanks for your advice.   Can you explain why this happens in detail? I have heard this technical solution from elsewhere not to see OS selection screen everytime the computer boots up. But, at the same time, I found (but did not remember the site & details) that I can prevent this annoying thing by debugging the hard drive (I don't know how to do it) before reformat & reinstalling OS. I do remember that using debugging can warrant the complete deletion of data & partition of existing drive. Any comment/info on this?

kyutaek · Answer

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 · Answer

kyutaek,

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 · Answer

kyutaek,

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.

Windows General

How to completely erase partition/data...fdisk or debug?

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