Reboot in Dos prompt

[ngaisteve1]

When I need to clean re-install my os, I should format my pc first, isn't? when I go to dos to format c:, it says some application is using it. So, I wonder how can I reboot my pc with dos prompt? I know that in window 98, there is this reboot option, but not in other like window xp or window me?

Thanks.

 

[SYAR2003]

Format from the setup cd or a bootdiskette .

 

[marcdoyle]

You can download a boot disk maker here

http://www.svrops.com/svrops/downloads/zipfiles/win98btutil.exe

Just insert a disk into your floppy drive and then run it. It contains both FDISK and FORMAT which you should use before doing your clean install.

Marc

 

[ceh4702]

A regular DOS prompt can not read XP's NTFS File System. Even if you reformat the drive and reinstall XP, the last install of XP will still be there. This is why it is better to do a repair install if possible.

To fully get rid of XP, you need a utility from the drive manufacturer to erase and write zeros to the front part of the drive or even better yet the entire drive. Most drive manufacturers have a utility to do this if you go to their website. If you write zeros to the entire drive, you are actually testing every possible location on the drive. There are some benefits to doing this.

If you do not do this you will be asked which OS you wish to use every time you boot your computer.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[marcdoyle]

that doesn't happen if you FDISK before you format as far as i am aware. FDISK is just a quicker and easier way(though not as thorough) to erase all partition and file information on a hard disk. With an NTFS disk, FDISK will just report a Non DOS partition, but will still have no problem erasing it. When you create a new one, it will be FAT32, but the XP install process allows you to convert your drive to NTFS.

 

[ceh4702]

Last time I used the XP Partition program to partition the drive and then do a clean install, so that may have something to do with it. Somehow XP writes something to the beginning of the drive and knows if you repartition and install it again. However, when I used the drive utility, it cleaned the drive up entirely.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[shtick]

Low level format the drive, then fdisk, then format using ntfs, then boot from the XP cd and do the install. I personally like maxllf.exe from maxtor. It identifies the drives' serial number and bios version and isn't picky about drive brands. Works great!