I want to format C: drive and reinstall...

[CUBALIBRAS]

My notebook was full up so I decided to reinstall using the recovery disks but instead of formatting my hard drive as requested it just reinstaled like an upgrade.

I have looked on Microsoft for startup disks so I can boot to 'dos' and format the c: drive before reinstalling but can only find floppy disk download. I can't find them on my system anywhere either.

Where can I download these disks?

Thanks in advance

 

[usakjw]

Ever since Windows 95 was released their is no DOS on the system only a DOS prompt. If the system is running Windows 2000 or XP home or pro a DOS boot disk or CD would not be able to tead the drive if it is NTFS (most likly).

Are you sure you told it to Format the drive and reinstall windows or just to reinstall windows. Yow should recieve a warning that Formating will cause you to lose all your data and settings

What size is the drive. Unless you have an awful lot of stuff on the drive or you have an awful small hard drive the hard drives they are putting in the systems they have been release the last several years are fairly large and hard to fill up

If you have a Windows 2000 or XP home or Pro CD (if not borrow on from a neighbor or friend. Boot from the CD do not use recovery console at all. When the setup program list all the partions on the drive(s) delete the one with Windows on it. To do this select the partition and press the d button. You will be prompted after hitting d to hit the L and return buttons (can not remember the order)

Then reboot the system with your recovery CD's and you will be ready to put your system back to the way it was when it came from the manufacture

KJW

 

[linney]

Why don't you uninstall some programs and delete some files?
Uninstalling Windows by reformatting and then re-installing is only doing the same as my first suggestion.

There are several other things you can do to recover gigabytes of space. This thread may be worth a read.

Relocating Hard Drive Capacity and File Compression
thread779-939540

http://www.bootdisk.com

has a selection of boot disks if you want to go that way.

307881 - HOW TO: Convert a FAT16 or FAT32 Volume to NTFS in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307881&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

If you have only Recovery CD's from an OEM machine then probably you have either an option for a non-destructive recovery, or a return to factory release condition. It would be a good idea to search the manufacturer's site for recovery options. Sometimes OEM's have hidden partitions as part of the recovery process too.

If you have a retail XP CD then this may help.

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


For more help (shows enlargeable screenshots) go here.

http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm

 

[CUBALIBRAS]

Thanks for the replies guys,

I am running XP Pro with a 60 GB HDD, only 1.5 is spare. I couldn't understand this as I could only find 25 gig. I used View Folder Sizes and found the rest buried in my system which was supposedly deleted.

I tried to delete it but i was denied access, and I'm the administrator so that is the reason I cannot delete them. Also, when asked if I wanted to delete the hard drive I hit enter for yes, I was told i would lose everything, hit d to confirm, i did, and was informed the partition could not be deleted.

When installation began i was asked whether i wante to upgrade or new installation and i selected new. All my programs were deleted except those hidden in a different area of the HD, it is driving me mad. This is why I hoped I could boot to the dos prompt and format c:

but no luck there either!

 

[usakjw]

Did you use the CD to boot from or did you try to do a restore from inside Windows. The only time you will not be able to delete a partition is when the OS in use is stored on that partition especially if you are an administrator.

KJW

 

[linney]

Laptop Setup Secrets"

http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=163105444

Wiping Out Special "Recovery" Partitions, Pt. 1

http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-02-06.htm

http://www.russelltexas.com/delpart.htm