HDD / Format Problem - Can't install OS - NEED HELP IMMEDIATELY!!!

leepark

Member
Jan 21, 2005
195
0
0
My setup: Athlon64 Winchester 3000+ / DFI Ultra-D NF4 / Corsair Value 1GB (512x2) / Leadtek PX 6600GT TDH / Hauppauge PVR250 / Seagate SATA 200GB / NEC 3520A DVD / Pioneer CRW-F1 CD / Mitsumi 7 in 1 Floppy / OCZ Powerstream 420W - just finished building it a week ago.

I wanted to erase everything on the HDD and reinstall Windows XP MCE2005 - I installed OS but discovered that (although I selected new install) there were files remaining from previous install - I manually started erasing every file and folders that I could from my computer. I tried to reinstall the OS hoping this time it would clean install - I think I messed up and deleted some essential files.

(Something I need to tell you before I go further) Ever since I assembled the components and booted up the very first time, the screen prior to the "LANPARTY NF4" screen and those prior to the "WINDOWS XP" screen come up all scrambled and not legible with some screens totally (from top to bottom) covered with strange characters. After installing various drivers (mobo, video, etc.) the above mentioned screens show up legible and clean at times but revert back to bad on occassion (totally random). Does anyone know why this is happening? Is there something wrong with mobo, video, etc.?

Anyway, back to the current problem... The computer won't let me install the OS. I can't get to the OS setup screen (the blue colored one). I made a "Win98 Start Up disk" from my older computer and tried formatting by typing, "format g:/u" but can't (actually, it's very difficult to tell what's going on because the characters not legible).

Does anybody know how to get beyond this problem? How do I remove everything (format) from the HDD and start fresh? How do I install the OS?

PLEASE HELP!
 

MrChad

Lifer
Aug 22, 2001
13,507
3
81
First things first, identify your hardware problem. Check your temperatures and make sure your video card and monitor are functioning properly. Your video should be legible immediately upon booting.

Once that's done, you should boot from your XP install CD, not a floppy. Press F6 and install the SATA controller drivers, then delete the partition on the HD and recreate it. Format the partition using NTFS.
 

jackschmittusa

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2003
5,972
1
0
Run fdisk from your boot floppy and delete the partitions. There will be no files left behind. The Windows installation will see an unformatted, unpartitioned drive that it will offer to set up for you.