UNSOLVED
Harddrive formatting
It's late and I'm very tired. I only have one question at this time. How can I format my harddrive to what it was before XP was originally loaded? I'm stuck in a loop and I just want to start fresh.
I cannot get into the OS. It hangs between "Setup is being restarted" and "Installing devices", about 2/3 of the loading bar with 34 mins remaining. It freezes to a black screen.
It is an 8300, 3.06, 512m, .....
I've read through the forum and spent way too much time wandering all over the web. Just a clean format is all I want.
c00per
- I have shown the supersite link last as it assumes Clean Install status so doesn't include step to delete existing partition at step 5 & so achieve Clean Install status.Use this link & select XP Home or PRO then method , ie: Used Hard Drive , Multi_Page has text & large pictures of Clean Install.
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/Use this link for Clean Install of XP , if you click on Pictures they Expand for easy view
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html (Delete existing partition at step 10b for Clean Install)or use this link ( *** Delete existing partition at step 5 for Clean Install ***)
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Clean Install deletes existing partition (like FDISK) & Formats HD during Install of Windows XP from XP CD.
Set BIOS to use CD-ROM as 1st boot device usually by pressing "F2" key during boot (startup),
for some Computers press "Del" key
Re-start Computer & when message "Press any key to boot from CD" shows do it & let subsequent messages "Press any key...." time out to Windows setup.
Flooby
2 Intern
•
3031 Posts
75
0
Posted January 29th, 2004 08:00
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp This site will give you step-by-step directions for formatting the current partition and reinstalling Windows.
http://support.dell.com/SoftwareReinstallGuide/Results.aspx?CatID=0&OSID=47&SysID=DIM_PNT_P4_8300&_ctl72.x=28&_ctl72.y=11 This page offers links for reinstalling your drivers, utilities and software. You may find more relevant information if you log into Support under the service tag ID for the affected system.
You may find that it helps to detach all peripherals except for the keyboard, mouse and monitor, prior to formatting the drive and reinstalling Windows.