Umm... Format C: = INVALID COMMAND wtf???

[CuriousAndy]

So I reboot with startup disk.. and I was in DOS prompt.. typed Format C: and it says "INVALID COMMAND"

what.. the heck?? did they get rid of format command or something in Windows XP?? what's up?? Am I doing something wrong?


___________________________________________________


I have two drive thankfully (40gig 7200rpm and 4gig 5400rpm) I'm gonna move all my important files to the 4 gig and then format the crap out of C: and do a CLEAN install of Windows XP from scratch.. I'm actually running WinXP that was upgraded from WinME and it feels sluggish.. it just doesn't feel right.. (my comp is taking lots of performance hits compared to ME). The OS itself is 3.4 gig..(ME + XP upgrade) it's ridiculous..

So I'm gonna format the 40 gig.. let me know if I'm missing anything and taking proper precautions:

1. Back up stuff to D: (4gig)
2. Reboot
3. Press F11 or whatever while booting up to get to DOS
4. Type Format C:
5. Reboot with WinXP Startup Disk and CD
6. Install XP
7. Once XP is installed and boot, install all the drivers and essentials

Am I missing anything else? please let me know.

~andy

 

[j0lly]

You could just do a clean install using the XP disc. Just make sure you change the startup sequence.

 

[vi edit]

I'd do a format c: /q /s

the q is for "quick" and the "s" is for system files to make the drive bootable

 

[vi edit]

I'm also not familiar with XP, but I'm sure there is a way to copy over the system files before installation and then just do the install from the HD. It'll make things easier once you are up and running and you will never be asked for the XP CDROM.

I know in the Win9X enviroment you'd copy over the cab files to the c:\windows\options\cabs dir and then run setup from there.

In Winnt, you'd copy over the the i386 and run setup. Don't know about XP though.

 

[chiwawa626]

<< 1. Back up stuff to D: (4gig)
2. Reboot
3. Press F11 or whatever while booting up to get to DOS
4. Type Format C:
5. Reboot with WinXP Startup Disk and CD
6. Install XP
7. Once XP is installed and boot, install all the drivers and essentials

Am I missing anything else? please let me know.

~andy
>>



1.backup
2.reboot with xp cd, and have it do the format and repartition if u want, and have it install./...

 

[j0lly]

I like vi_edit's idea.

 

[CuriousAndy]

Aite. I think i'll just follow my procedure... thanks all anyways..

Good bye! (and wish me luck)

~andy

 

[huanaku]

A clean install of XP makes a world of a difference. I'd even partition that hard drive while you're at it. 40 gigs is a big OS drive ...

 

[FelixDeCat]

Good Bye Now..

Bye!

 

[yakko]

I installed it clean and I still think it is sluggish.

 

[Jokeram]

<< I installed it clean and I still think it is sluggish. >>



Too late... he's already doing it.. I am satisfied with W2K Pro

 

[CuriousAndy]

ttt

 

[thEnEuRoMancER]

I don't know if XP boot disk supports format but you can download various boot disks here: http://jason-n3xt.org/dos/#disks

 

[Angrymarshmello]

The "Invalid command" means that format.com does not exist on your boot disk. Go to your A: drive (or whatever the boot disk is located in) and type "dir format.* /s" and see if the file is missing. If so it'll turn up nothing. If not then change to that dir (or edit the .bat file and put the directory into the PATH and reboot)

 

[GigaCluster]

You must make sure that you have the executable FORMAT.COM on your boot disk... otherwise the computer doesn't know what you're talkin' about.