This one seems a sensible solution, on the assumption that you have a worst case scenario which is you don't have an optical drive in your computer http://blog.800hightech.com/install-windows-xp-laptop-without-working-cd-floppy-drive/2568/ On Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 7:45 PM, Chris Ryan <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > -----Original Message----- > > Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:57:32 -0500 > From: Brent <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Can't Reformat C: > > Hello all, > > I'm currently running Windows 2000, but I'm wanting to reformat my drives= > and install a fresh version of Windows XP. I made a boot disk with a fl= > oppy; I get to the A:\ prompt and I'll type in "format C: /s" but the com= > mand will go ahead and format my D: drive instead! It doesn't recognize = > that the C: drive is there at all. I'm booting the machine from the flop= > py, so I 'shouldn't' be using the C: drive at all. It's only recognizing= > one drive, but it's definitely not reformating the correct hard drive!! > > How can I reformat my C: drive? > > Cheers, Brent > > Visit our website regularly for FAQs, > articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more > http://freepctech.com > > ------------------------------ > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:41:05 +1000 > From: Don Penlington <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Can't Reformat C: > > Brent wrote: > >How can I reformat my C: drive?>> > > > The floppy drive (dos) probably cant see a drive which is NTFS. > > When you run the XP disk, it should give you the option of reformatting > before installing. > > Don Penlington > > Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to > Digest mode - visit our web site: > http://freepctech.com/pcbuild.shtml > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:55:45 -0700 > From: Kenneth Whyman <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Can't Reformat C: > > You are likely using a boot disk made for DOS and/or Windows 9x, which > cannot properly see an NTFS partition and manipulate it, or the boot floppy > is having trouble recognizing the partition because of its sheer size. If > you use the Windows XP install CD to boot up your system and start the > upgrade process, you should have an option to format the existing > partition(s), or to completely redo the partition setup of your drive. > Another idea would be to conduct the format by taking out the drive from > your original machine and using an IDE to USB adapter to connect it to a > second computer. I keep such an adapter in my toolkit for just this kind of > work, and it hasn't let me down yet. Only set me back about $25 bucks at > Fry's Electronics, and money well spent. Hope this information proves > useful > to you :) > > ---------------------------------- > Change the boot order to have your cd drive recognized first, then reboot > the pc with the XP disc in the drive. You will be given the option to > reformat from the cd when you install the new OS. > > HTH > > Chris Ryan > > [log in to unmask] > > The NOSPIN Group is now offering Free PC Tech > support at our newest website: > http://freepctech.com > The NOSPIN Group is now offering Free PC Tech support at our newest website: http://freepctech.com