HEEELLLLPP Question for techies about WIN XP....

[gully]

I am unable to 'un-install' XP from the disk b/c the version is not 'registered' or some such thing.

I just want to format my friggin hard drive, but I can figure out how to do it. I have xp set up on a dual drive and I want to go back to my old win98.

Can I just start the pc in dos and type (format c:/) ??? If so, how the heck do I start xp in dos.

I tried a safe mode with command prompt and was unable to format.

I just want a 'clean slate'...

My compaq restore cd wont even work helllppp!

Thanks

[Don_G]

1. I Don't Know That You Can

XP eliminated DOS from the OS.

It might be easier buying at least one new HD, loading Win98 and trying to format the second one from there.

Micro$haft has "funny" ideas and their attitudes aren't the same as ours.

[gully]

2. eek...

[Democrats unite]

3. Try booting to the drive you want to keep....

Then go to my computer and select the hard drive you want formatted then go up to file & click format that drive. Just make sure you are doing the right drive.

[5X]

4. you will have to fdisk first

and wipe out any partitions, should show up as non-dos partition,
then create new partition, primary dos.
boot off of win98 floppy or cd to run fdisk.

good luck

[gully]

6. yikes...

I have no idea how to 'fdisk' or create a new partition..

I just made an msdos start up disk, and thought I'd try to format from there?

format c:/ ?? Will that work

[Forkboy]

11. go to the command prompt again

and just type in 'fdisk'

If I remember correctly (not a given mind you) it will take you through it step by step.

[BattyDem]

5. There is no DOS in XP, so ...

you have to boot the computer from the CD using the Windows XP CD. If you don't have one, you'll have to download the boot floppy disks from Microsoft's web site.

XP Home Edition
Profressional Edition

Good Luck!

on edit: Forgot to mention how to format after booting from the disks -

After you boot from the setup disks, you'll see a blue setup screen. You'll be asked to choose an installation drive/partition and then you'll have the option to format if you want. When it's finished formatting, you'll have to reboot the computer from a Windows 98 CDROM, then you can install it. DO NOT choose the NTFS file system for formatting - that's for WinXP. Win98 needs the FAT32 system, so choose that.

If you have a Windows 98 boot disk, I believe you can simply boot the computer with that disk, instead of booting the drive using the XP disks. You can then run fdisk from the Win98 boot disk.

[gully]

8. can I just do a regular format??

format c:\

[dodger501]

7. Clean slate

Get a Windows 98 or Me boot disk at http://www.bootdisk.com /
If you already have Windows 98, you might already have one (?)

Make a floppy from the download and stick it in the drive.
Reboot.
Depending on which one you downloaded, there will be either a Minimal Boot option or a Boot to Prompt option.
Select accordingly.
If you have an NTFS partition or partitions, you will have to remove them with the fdisk command.
Select the number for the appropriate drive and follow the on-screen instructions to delete.
When completed, enter menu to create a new partition (I think it's menu option 1).
Select primary DOS and follow instructions.
When completed, reboot with the boot disk still in the drive.
format c:

When done, proceed with Win 98 install or reboot with your Compaq disk.

[gully]

10. I have the NTFS, how do I fdisk???

sorry guys, I'm a total novice...

[sam sarrha]

9. Hard drives are cheap... I am just going to get a good new one...

I am not really happy with XP, i probably just dont know how to use it properly..DAaaa. it cant identify what program wrote a file... got all kinds of files i dont know what is in them... I does really neat stuff tho, I have to admit that, I guess i can just network to the new computer and send my favorites and personal stuff over to it? any sugestions... I cant back up anything, of even burn a CD off my music...

[tridim]

12. Can't you format during the install?

I've never used 98 because it sucked, but in win2k and XP you get the option of formatting your target drive near the begining of the install process. I guess it's possible that 98 is so dumbed down that you don't get that option.

My suggestion if you hate XP, get a copy of Windows 2000. I'm not all that impressed with XP either. It's a hog.

[Don_G]

13. I've Done That Before With XP

You can reformat, but XP recognizes itself and only itself.

The only thing I like about either is that they use the NTFS file system over the FAT 32 and are quite a bit more stable.

[gully]

14. I have 2000, on my compaq restore disk, but it wont let me use it...

GRRR. I think once I am able to remove xp I can start fresh.

Thanks for the help guys.

[Nlighten1]

15. How to FDISK

Do a search on your hard drive for FDISK.exe

Copy it to your boot floppy if it isn't already there.

Put your boot floppy in your floppy drive

Reboot.

After it comes up to the A: prompt type

FDISK

Press 3 for Delete partition or logical drive
Press 4 for Delete Non-DOS Partition

If you only have one partition just follow the prompts

On edit

Make sure you have your bootable Windows 98 CD in the CDROM drive and reboot the PC.

The Windows 98 setup will detect that the hard drive doesn't have any partitions and configure it for you and format it.

PM me if you have anymore questions.

[Don_G]

16. It Might Work

If XP hasn't corrupted the system in the first place. XP overwrites the system registry and has eliminated the basic DOS Commands that were a mainstay with the IBM PC from day one.

"We gotta keep making those billions, folks...."

[even]

17. I did this.

I have Compaq. It came withe 4 disks. I tried the XP disk, that just installed a second Xp. I had to reformat. The other disk directed me to a phone# to register the O/s. It was easy,but you need the serial number. The whole thing was done from the phone keys.

I hope this is helpful.