• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

How do I Wipe the HD Clean?

A

Asparagus

Senior member
Goal is to do a "clean install" of XP on a 3 year old machine... I want to "reformat" and "start over"

Machine has 40 Gig HD

Dropped the WinXP CD in the drive and away I went until I got to a screen that's asking me what to do with the 38 MB "partitioned" drive and an 8MB "unpartitioned" drive. I'm confused about the non partitioned space, not sure what that is...

The options allow me to delete one or both partitions or just use one of the partitions for a clean iinstall of the OS. To meet my goals lined up here in the 1st sentence... I'd assume I'd want to delete the existing partitions (S) Is it ok to delete both partitions...?


What should I do to process the HD ?
 
Is it ok to delete both partitions...?
Click to expand...

Yes, delete both and create a new one. After you create the new partition setup allows you to format it with NTFS.
 
The 8 MB space isn't a concern; it's just something you have to put up with if you use NTFS.
 
Thanks for the answers... Further questions since I'm a noob at this...

I deleted the large, 38 MB "partition" (the one thet had the 8 MB partition attached to it) and then it came back and reported I know just had one "unpartitioned space of 38 MB.

Question: Do I need to create a partition at this point or just install Win XP right now? AFAIK, my original setup (that seems to work well) did not include a seperate partition. I had "C" drive and that was it.

I guess what I'm asking is whether a "partition" is always needed to create a space on "c:" or whether I just install Win XP directly on c: in an unpartitioned space, and that Win XP "creates" the partition space; the 38 MB space that was created the first time when I installed XP 3 years ago...

My goal is to set the system up "with no partitions" such that the OS, Programs and data are store on the same "disk"....
 
Install it onto the unpartitioned (38GB) space if you only want "C" drive

btw, I just assumed you meant 38GB and not MB...it may be tough to install XP on 38 MB of space 😛
 
Install the Operating system on the partitioned (38GB) space. Don't worry about the 8mb partition which will reappear - that's normal. Format your hard drive after this and then Windows will continue to install itself. Just to clarify, you will finish up with a 38GB (or thereabouts) C: drive as you want.
 
Originally posted by: giorgiopin
Install the Operating system on the partitioned (38GB) space. Don't worry about the 8mb partition which will reappear - that's normal. Format your hard drive after this and then Windows will continue to install itself. Just to clarify, you will finish up with a 38GB (or thereabouts) C: drive as you want.
Click to expand...


This is normal for Install Windows XP.
 
OK Next question... DO I want to format "quick" or regular? I'm in no big hurry right now, I just want the "best format"... I assume "quick" refers to "quick" as far as the formatting goes and will "cut some corners" to be quick?
 
Originally posted by: Asparagus
OK Next question... DO I want to format "quick" or regular? I'm in no big hurry right now, I just want the "best format"... I assume "quick" refers to "quick" as far as the formatting goes and will "cut some corners" to be quick?
Click to expand...

Yes do a full format. -> quick just removes the mbr. and yes you're asking for trouble
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top