need help reformating

[imported_xeno]

i have a copy of windows xp pro with service pack 2
and when i put in the cd room and reboot it doesnt boot off the cd or anything
and if i try doing through desktop and when i get to the part where it says would u like to
delete partition it wont let me cuz it keeps saying windows has setup files on disk and cannont delete this partition . What can i do to reformat?

 

[Matthias99]

Go into your BIOS (usually by hitting DEL or F1 as your system is booting) and make sure it is set to boot from CD, and that the CD/DVD drive is *before* the hard drive in the boot order. Then you should be able to boot from CD and reformat/install WinXP as normal.

 

[imported_xeno]

i cant do that , i used to do it on my old mobo but ever since i got my asus p4p800-se i cant put it in order

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: xeno
i cant do that , i used to do it on my old mobo but ever since i got my asus p4p800-se i cant put it in order

What do you mean you "can't do that"? It won't let you change the boot order? I'm quite sure the P4P800 allows you to boot from CD before the hard disk.

 

[imported_xeno]

i did it but it wont boot from cd just brings me to the part where it asks
1 - start windows xp pro normal
2- start windows xp pro installation process thing
what do i do?

 

[nugglets]

im not sure about XP(since ive never used the bloody bastard), but i know in win2k if you dont have boot sector virus protection disabled in your bios you wont be able to complete an install either.

*edit* load the XP Pro Installation at that selection screen. thats what happens when you run the cd from windows to install. it restarts after loading the setup files, then you have to continue the installation through the OS selection screen.

 

[imported_xeno]

i know but it wont let me reformat cuz it keeps saying setup files are on the disk needed for reboot.
do u have msn or anythin for faster way of communication

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: xeno
i know but it wont let me reformat cuz it keeps saying setup files are on the disk needed for reboot.
do u have msn or anythin for faster way of communication

If it won't let you reformat the drive after you boot from CD and start running the install from there, something is wrong with your system or your install CD.

Also note that you cannot normally delete the first partition on a drive without deleting the later ones as well. If you just want to reinstall, and the drive is already partitioned, you don't need to 'delete' the partition first; it will format it as part of the installation process.