Format hard drive

jmbut · 08-01-2008, 06:28 PM

Hi, i'm using a laptop toshiba, i want to format my hard drive, can anybody tell me how to do that? or let me change the question, does anybody know how to boot and go to command prompt, just like win98?

and one more thing, my computer some how got infected by a virus trojan, and it already infect winlogon.exe in folder system32, i try to boot on safe mode to delete the file but it doesnt work, it say the file being used by another program, does anyone know how i clean this trojan, my mcAfee detect it, but still cant clean it though?

**simpswr** · 08-01-2008, 06:55 PM

Are you going to reinstall XP after you format? . . if so, do you have a XP installation disc?

jmbut · 08-01-2008, 07:09 PM

yes, but i wanna format first...

**sobeit** · 08-01-2008, 07:17 PM

we need to know about your xp disk so we would know what to tell you about formating. depending upon your xp disk you may be able to format using it.

**simpswr** · 08-01-2008, 07:34 PM

You format first thing with the installation disc . . to do that, enter BIOS ( Setup ) and set the first boot device as CD/ROM.

Put your XP Disc in the drive and disconnect all external peripherals except the monitor, keyboard and mouse, and be sure those are not USB, or wireless. Any internal USB card should also be removed.

Once you set your BIOS to boot first from cd . . when it restarts you will see a black screen with a prompt "Press any key to boot from CD" . . do that and you will be able to delete any or all partitions and recreate one or more, then proceed to formating and installing XP.

That message can pass quickly, so have a finger on the keyboard when you boot. This will delete all data on the drive so be sure you have your important data backed up. The prompt will appear after every reboot, but do not press any key on subsequent reboots. The setup process will continue with no action required from you.

If you do not get that message, and if you have another optical drive, try the XP CD in the other drive.

If you are installing on SATA drive, there is an additional step:

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how...ws_xp_on_a.htm

This is a site that walks you thru a simulated XP installation:
http://www.echoproject.net/en/software/catalog.html

These are good guides to reinstalling XP . . you might want to print one for reference during the install.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...p_sg_clean.asp
http://www.socrtwo.info/cleanxpinstall.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_..._-_graphic.htm

You will likely have to reload drivers (Chipset first) and applications, If your XP installation disc does not include SP3, after the installation, you will need to download and install SP-3, while windows is clean. Prior to connecting to the internet be sure you enable the XP firewall.

For help entering BIOS: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

jmbut · 08-01-2008, 08:17 PM

i'm not using a desktop, i'm using a laptop...
is it possible to install a new win xp on a laptop?

**simpswr** · 08-02-2008, 04:03 AM

Exactly the same steps . .

08-01-2008, 06:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
jmbut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 11 OS: XP SP2	Format hard drive Hi, i'm using a laptop toshiba, i want to format my hard drive, can anybody tell me how to do that? or let me change the question, does anybody know how to boot and go to command prompt, just like win98? and one more thing, my computer some how got infected by a virus trojan, and it already infect winlogon.exe in folder system32, i try to boot on safe mode to delete the file but it doesnt work, it say the file being used by another program, does anyone know how i clean this trojan, my mcAfee detect it, but still cant clean it though?

08-01-2008, 06:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 8,936 OS: XP, Vista	Re: Format hard drive Are you going to reinstall XP after you format? . . if so, do you have a XP installation disc? __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help \| How to Post a Screen shot \| PC running slow?]

08-01-2008, 07:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
jmbut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 11 OS: XP SP2	Re: Format hard drive yes, but i wanna format first...

08-01-2008, 07:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
sobeit TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 7,404 OS: windows/linux	Re: Format hard drive we need to know about your xp disk so we would know what to tell you about formating. depending upon your xp disk you may be able to format using it. __________________ there's been global warming since the ice age

08-01-2008, 07:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 8,936 OS: XP, Vista	Re: Format hard drive You format first thing with the installation disc . . to do that, enter BIOS ( Setup ) and set the first boot device as CD/ROM. Put your XP Disc in the drive and disconnect all external peripherals except the monitor, keyboard and mouse, and be sure those are not USB, or wireless. Any internal USB card should also be removed. Once you set your BIOS to boot first from cd . . when it restarts you will see a black screen with a prompt "*Press any key to boot from CD" . . do that and you will be able to delete any or all partitions and recreate one or more, then proceed to formating and installing XP. That message can pass quickly, so have a finger on the keyboard when you boot. This will delete all data on the drive* so be sure you have your important data backed up. The prompt will appear after every reboot, but do not press any key on subsequent reboots. The setup process will continue with no action required from you. If you do not get that message, and if you have another optical drive, try the XP CD in the other drive. If you are installing on SATA drive, there is an additional step: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how...ws_xp_on_a.htm This is a site that walks you thru a simulated XP installation: http://www.echoproject.net/en/software/catalog.html These are good guides to reinstalling XP . . you might want to print one for reference during the install. http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...p_sg_clean.asp http://www.socrtwo.info/cleanxpinstall.htm http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_..._-_graphic.htm You will likely have to reload drivers (Chipset first) and applications, If your XP installation disc does not include SP3, after the installation, you will need to download and install SP-3, while windows is clean. Prior to connecting to the internet be sure you enable the XP firewall. For help entering BIOS: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help \| How to Post a Screen shot \| PC running slow?]

08-01-2008, 08:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
jmbut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 11 OS: XP SP2	Re: Format hard drive i'm not using a desktop, i'm using a laptop... is it possible to install a new win xp on a laptop?

08-02-2008, 04:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 8,936 OS: XP, Vista	Re: Format hard drive Exactly the same steps . . __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help \| How to Post a Screen shot \| PC running slow?]