[B-MAN]

I've been trying to "re-format" my C: drive but I can not get to the prompt before windows starts up. What should I do prior to windows starting?

 

[Jason]

In windows XP you should be able to boot off of the cd-rom. From there you can reformated the hard drive.

 

[B-MAN]

O.K. So then I restart the comp with the windows disk in, then follow the poompts? Or is there something special that must do?

 

[B-MAN]

So I restarted with the XP disk..... When do I get a prompt to format the C drive?

 

[Guest]

It should get to a point where it will ask do you want to repair your current installation or do a new install, Something to that effect.

You do not want to repair but you want to do a new installation.

Also delete the partition when it asks you that.

Then just read and follow the instructions.

 

[B-MAN]

Alright, I get to a screen that says:
M/S Windows XP recovery console
The recovery console provides system repair........
Type exit to quit the recovery console and restart the computer.
1: c:/windows
Which windows installation would you like to log onto?

Now, what?

 

[Guest]

Lets try to make this easier..

Do you have a boot disk?

If not go Here and download the XP boot disk.

Set bios to boot from floppy.

Fdisk your Drive.

Then Format your Drive.

Then setup XP...

 

[B-MAN]

I have a boot disk. I believe that I must go to the company that made this comp. b/c it asks for a admin password.

 

[Valiant]

B-MAN:
Your right on that one.. if you didn't set up an admin password, either the company did, inwhich case if they are local you should talk to them personally, or you've got a trojan. If the latter case is true I suggest you get a password recovery program... the only place that comes to mind is http://www.blackcode.com they should have something to help you out, and if that fails http://tds.diamondcs.com.au/ is the best place for removing trojans. Hopefully it's not a trojan. In your BIOS there is a spot where is shows what it checks for and in which position ( i.e. Master or Slave) make sure that your CD ROM is there (not just in the boot order) and in the correct position. Then set the boot order so that the CD is first run from the CD and XP should Fdisk and format for you. Good Luck.. I'l check back to see if things worked out.

Valiant2003

 

[Midnight Tech]

B-MAN, I have a link that might help! http://www.elcomsoft.com/antexp.html
MT

 

[TheTechIsIn]

Solution

1) Do not go into consule rec. mode, there is nothing you can do there for now. But just an FYI if you are using XP home the Admin password is global and UNCHANGABLE it is simply Enter. Or Spacebar Enter.
For XP Pro it is whatever you set up durring install, if you have no yet installed XP Pro there is really no reason to go into consule mode.

2) To format your drive put the CD in, reboot, Select install, keep following the prompts to install you will even. get to a box that lists your current partitions (similar to what you would see in linux but not exactly) anyway delete all the partitions that are shown, then select the option to install the operating system in the unpartitioned space, it will ask you for the size on the next screen just make it for the hole drive.

If you need more spec. instructions..... just let me know.