How Do You Format Windows XP

[Jack]

My whole systems has gone mad so I would simply like to format and re-install everything.

Q) How do I format my C:/ drive while using windows xp.

Windows 98 was so simple!

Thank you!!!

[Twey]

Q) How do I format my C:/ drive while using windows xp.

You can't. It won't allow you to format the drive it's being run from. You need to get a bootable disk (WinXP install disk will do fine; go into recovery mode and just "format c:").

[Jack]

I know this is going to sound stupid but how to I get into recovery mode?

[Twey]

Boot up the installation disk, then at a point in the loading it'll say "Press R to enter recovery mode" or words to that effect.

Press R.

[Jack]

I still need help with this guys… I’m using Windows XP professional.
I’ve been trying all kinds of things but to no avail. I reboot and hold the f8 key and so on but it doesn’t want to format.

If you know how to format drive c: while using Win XP Pro please help me out.
A step by step for dummies would be good!

Thank you…

[djr33]

Did you use the CD?

[Twey]

1) Make sure you can boot from CD.
2) Insert CD.
3) Reboot.
4) Wait for the prompt.
5) Press R.
6) Wait for the prompt.
7) Type "format C:"
8) Press enter.

Tada

[Jack]

Hey thanks guys... As it turned out I got the guy who sold me the computer to format it for us. I had tried everthing but I didn't have a boot disk so I couldn't do it.

Just wanted to let you know that I appreciated your help!
Sure is nice to have this computer working again.