Advice on formatting hard drive

[dantis]

I have just finished my first build, I have not yet installed the OS or formatted the hard drive. I will be installing Windows XP Home, so my question is: should I format the hard drive first using Seagate's DiscWizard, then install XP or simply boot from the XP Disc and use the hard drive format feature within it?

Thanks in advance!

[doctorgonzo]

Just boot from the Windows XP installation CD. No need to prepare the drive in any way.

[MakeYourslf2012]

Put the XP disc in and boot from it. Windows partitions, formats, then installs itself - its an easy process. Just follow the directions on the screen.

[Panama Red]

Agree. Boot with the XP cd and create the size of your primary partition. I'd recommend 12 - 20GB depending on how many programs you intend to install. Then it will format C: and install XP. When you're up and running, use Disk Management to create any additional partitions on the remaining disk space and format the partition(s).

[dantis]

Many thanks for your help guys.