[SOLVED] WD Raptor Formatting

LSandvig · 04-24-2008, 09:55 AM

Hello all,

I have a computer running XP service pack 1, with a WD Raptor 10k RPM 72Gb HD.

My problem is...I was doing some uninstalling of old programs(mainly games and photo/movie editing apps), and when I went to restart the computer, it got past BIOS and came up with the Windows loading screen, where a popup came up saying "Windows could not launch as file "WINNT......" was not found. Please install this file to continue". Long story short I have to reinstall XP. But, my XP disc and auth. key were lost in the fires in October.

So now I think I need to reformat my hard drive and start from scratch with a new copy of XP(while it is still available). How do I format this hard drive when I cannot get into Windows? Is there something in the BIOS I can use? Or do I have to fiddle with 'jumping' the pins on the back of the drive?

Any help is appreciated!
Thanks

dai · 04-24-2008, 10:20 AM

when you reinstall xp will ask if you wish to format

**simpswr** · 04-24-2008, 10:21 AM

Hello and welcome to the forum

I'd try a repair install first . . These are good guides to performing a repair install

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
http://www.informationweek.com/windo...leID=189400897

LSandvig · 04-24-2008, 10:21 AM

Ohhh very good. I will look for that option. Thanks!

LSandvig · 04-24-2008, 10:23 AM

Ok will try the repair first...if that fails Ill format with a new copy of XP. Will keep you informed!

**simpswr** · 04-24-2008, 10:27 AM

I missed the part about not haveing your original install disc . . if you buy the same version ( Home, Professional or MCE ) you should be able to do a repair with the new disc . . it will ask for a key

LSandvig · 04-24-2008, 10:54 PM

OK its up and running

It took a new copy and a formatting, but thanks for telling me how to start!

**simpswr** · 04-25-2008, 06:35 AM

You can mark this thread as solved by clicking on the Thread Tools link in your first post . .

04-24-2008, 09:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
LSandvig Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 5 OS: xp	[SOLVED] WD Raptor Formatting Hello all, I have a computer running XP service pack 1, with a WD Raptor 10k RPM 72Gb HD. My problem is...I was doing some uninstalling of old programs(mainly games and photo/movie editing apps), and when I went to restart the computer, it got past BIOS and came up with the Windows loading screen, where a popup came up saying "Windows could not launch as file "WINNT......" was not found. Please install this file to continue". Long story short I have to reinstall XP. But, my XP disc and auth. key were lost in the fires in October. So now I think I need to reformat my hard drive and start from scratch with a new copy of XP(while it is still available). How do I format this hard drive when I cannot get into Windows? Is there something in the BIOS I can use? Or do I have to fiddle with 'jumping' the pins on the back of the drive? Any help is appreciated! Thanks

04-24-2008, 10:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 38,540 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: WD Raptor Formatting when you reinstall xp will ask if you wish to format __________________

04-24-2008, 10:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
simpswr Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,166 OS: XP, Vista	Re: WD Raptor Formatting Hello and welcome to the forum I'd try a repair install first . . These are good guides to performing a repair install http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm http://www.informationweek.com/windo...leID=189400897 __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BIOS \| BenchTest \| Spyware Cleaning \| How to Post a Screen shot

04-24-2008, 10:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
LSandvig Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: WD Raptor Formatting Ohhh very good. I will look for that option. Thanks!

04-24-2008, 10:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
LSandvig Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: WD Raptor Formatting Ok will try the repair first...if that fails Ill format with a new copy of XP. Will keep you informed!

04-24-2008, 10:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
simpswr Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,166 OS: XP, Vista	Re: WD Raptor Formatting I missed the part about not haveing your original install disc . . if you buy the same version ( Home, Professional or MCE ) you should be able to do a repair with the new disc . . it will ask for a key __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BIOS \| BenchTest \| Spyware Cleaning \| How to Post a Screen shot

04-24-2008, 10:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
LSandvig Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: WD Raptor Formatting OK its up and running It took a new copy and a formatting, but thanks for telling me how to start!

04-25-2008, 06:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
simpswr Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,166 OS: XP, Vista	Re: WD Raptor Formatting You can mark this thread as solved by clicking on the *Thread Tools* link in your first post . . __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BIOS \| BenchTest \| Spyware Cleaning \| How to Post a Screen shot