how the fuck do I format a pc with XP

[theoak01]

I have the disk called windows xp service pack 1, I went with the option of installing windows xp,it went through what looked like a format and I restarted the pc after anf everything was still here all files and everything

HELP

 

[Jimsbbc]

I realized the cd for reinstalling XP from Dell is not a complete OS, it just overwrites what is there and takes up more hard drive space. I used a Maxtor partitioning utility to erase it and then installed win2000 that a friend copied for me.

 

[theoak01]

I think I may have the same thing,is there anyway I can sort this out with the cd I have?

 

[Jimsbbc]

The service pack is just a fix for bugs they didn't catch when the OS was released initially, not an operating system in it's own right. Did you get an XP re-install disk with the machine?

 

[theoak01]

I was told thats what this is but I assume the fuckers only gave me this as a way to get my business when I need anything done with this fucking thing

 

[Jimsbbc]

The problem i had with the Dell re-install disk is that the new image is written on top of the old one, not actually deleting the old shit. My hard drive had almost 20 gigs of used space and nothing on the computer. That's why i wiped it clean, but I found out you have to have a stand alone copy of windows, they do that to keep people from pirating (didn't work against me).

 

[theoak01]

im not sure mine worked totally like that,see I have more space used yes but I can still see the old stuff where it should be gone.

since I need a stand alone copy how much does one cost,or because my pc is under warrenty would they reinstall in free even though I fucked shit up on there crap machine they sold me?

 

[Code]

Lots of Crisco......

 

[theoak01]

I wish it was that easy,im quite pissed with how things are working

 

[Jimsbbc]

If it is convenient, i would try and get them to do it for free, otherwise just buy a copy and you can re-image when ever you need to. There are lots of mail order computer shops online, try and google a search for it or yahoo shopping.

 

[theoak01]

thanks for the help bro green for you.

Ill have to get them to fix it although it will be a pain in the ass

 

[DepressiveJuice]

cant you just format it in MSDOS? next computer i get im going to format and add in win98. any other windows OS blows compared to 98

 

[theoak01]

ms dos isnt even on this pc, I have a windows 98 reinstall disk for packard bell pc's my dad wants to put that on this but am not sure it will work. how well does it run,good if I have great pc speed?

 

[DepressiveJuice]

right. win2000 and its variants dont have MSDOS. but they do have a c prompt which you can format it from there correct?

 

[theoak01]

nope,no prompt window that ive found

 

[theoak01]

would the 98 work on this pc which isnt packard if I installed it?

 

[DepressiveJuice]

dont know about your 98 question but are you sure you dont have the c prompt? i didnt think mine had one either till i was told where it was. start- programs- accessories- command prompt

 

[theoak01]

I love you for helping me find that now if I format it do I need the stand alone copy to get everything sorted out?

 

[JOKER47]

right. win2000 and its variants dont have MSDOS. but they do have a c prompt which you can format it from there correct?

No Windows OS since '95 has had MSDOS. What they have is a "Command Prompt" that looks like DOS, and accepts the same commands.

DOS was the OS that Windows 3.1 ran on. From '95 on, Windows IS the OS.

As for re-formatting a drive, you can create a Windows Recovery Disk that you can boot of off, and format through a true DOS environment.

.02,
Joker

 

[38DoubleDamnGood]

My XP is partitioned that my D: drive is my recovery....is yours the same way?

 

[theoak01]

how does one create a boot disk?

 

[theoak01]

my d drive on this thing is the cd rom, and the only other drive I have beside that is c

 

[JOKER47]

how does one create a boot disk?

Believe it or not, I actually wrote a set of instructions when I school for doing this. (Complete with pictures.) Here's a excerpt from it that should get you where you need to go:

For Windows 98
**************************************************
Inside the Control Panel window there will be a series of icons. (Pictures representing various programs in your computer.)

Locate, and move the mouse cursor over the icon labeled “Add/Remove Programs”. Double-click the mouse’s left button on the “Add/Remove Programs” icon.

Another window will appear. This one will have three “tabs” along the top of it. They will be labeled “Install/Uninstall”, “Windows Setup”, and “Startup Disk”.
**************************************************

Before anyone says anything, it was supposed to be writtewn for idiots. That was the assignment.


Joker

 

[Jimsbbc]

That's what i did, i used the Maxtor utility from Maxtor.com to create a boot disk and formatted the hard drive, only to realize the Dell XP install CD isn't a whole copy of XP. It said to insert the OS cd and then wouldn't find an OS on it. I was hosed, i wiped out the partition and had this bullshit dell crap that didn't work. Then a friend hooked me up with 2000, saved my ass. Lesson learned there, always get a real licensed copy of the OS with the computer or build on yourself and buy it the copy out right so you can re image anytime you want.

 

[theoak01]

I tried to figure that out but the control panel in xp seems more advanced than that,I tired but I dont think I will get far with this shit

 

[theoak01]

Ill prob end up buying a xp disk,this all seems so hard,thanks for all your help guys ,I will make sure each of you gets some K,but for now I am off to bed