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Gambit17 · 10-09-2006, 12:20 PM

HI.
I want to format my entire hardrive.
it is in 1 partion namely my c: drive and then a empty(unallocated) f: drive. Also there is 1 gig of free space(What used to be a logical drive).

I would like to format the entire disk and make them one again.(if this is possible).
Also how would i go about keeping the information on my c: drive.

Thanx.

***glc*** · 10-09-2006, 12:33 PM

Formatting will delete all information. You need to copy what you need to something else, external hard drive, CDR or DVDR, etc.

Boot with the XP CD, go into Setup, and remove all partitions. Then install XP on the unallocated space (which should be ALL you will see now).

Gambit17 · 10-09-2006, 02:22 PM

Thanx GLC.

Just want to check a few things before i do something dangerous.

I copy everything onto a removable storge disk etc.(CD, DVD, Ipod).

Then do i just boot from xp disc and say delete all partitions.

And then...

reinstall Xp on unallocated space?

Will I see the unallocated space during xp install to do so?

Sorry Im a patzer(beginner).

I also heard its advisable to install Operating System on 1 partition(2 gigs in size) and create a second partition for rest of my stuff. Would i be able to set this up during the installation process.

Thanx.

EzyStvy · 10-09-2006, 02:41 PM

delete all partitions
re-create partition(s)
format
install

Gambit17 · 10-09-2006, 03:43 PM

I have a big problem.

Im am on a different computer now.

The one i was going to fromat has crashed.

What i did was a booted from XP disk. I didnt push any buttons nothing just wanted to check what was going on and then exit. IT then offered me the chance to exit setup i took it and now when i try to turn my computer on booting from hard drive it gives me a grubb error(17) please if anyone could help me.

thanx

EzyStvy · 10-09-2006, 04:01 PM

I think the error message is related to a linux boot loader...Do you have linux installed?

Gambit17 · 10-09-2006, 04:35 PM

ya i do. but i wasnt having this problem until i booted from the xp disk

Gambit17 · 10-09-2006, 04:53 PM

Do you have any suggestions?

Gambit17 · 10-09-2006, 05:00 PM

what it might have been is i had linux installed on a seperate partition and then i deleted it.
??
plz help.

EzyStvy · 10-09-2006, 05:11 PM

Search here and the internet for removing the boot loader.

Gambit17 · 10-09-2006, 05:16 PM

sorry to bother but what exactly is a boot loader and what does it do

Gambit17 · 10-09-2006, 07:10 PM

Got it workin thanx. Just reinstalled Linux.

Ill be back later to find out more aout formating.

***glc*** · 10-10-2006, 10:54 AM

If you have Linux on there, you need to zero fill the drive before you try to reinstall XP. Repartitioning with the XP CD will not remove the Linux boot loader.

http://www.killdisk.com/

GraemeM · 10-10-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glc

If you have Linux on there, you need to zero fill the drive before you try to reinstall XP. Repartitioning with the XP CD will not remove the Linux boot loader.

http://www.killdisk.com/

Really? I could of swore XP deletes the Linux boot loader. Cus I had Linux then installed XP and I lost access to Linux (had to boot Linux using the installation CD then repair the boot loader)

Also one tip to the poster, if you have a copy of Partition Magic lying around or know someone who does, using it before the XP install is a bit more straightforward I find.

***glc*** · 10-10-2006, 04:51 PM

Zero fill takes care of *everything* without wondering if you got it all.

10-09-2006, 12:20 PM	#1
Gambit17 Member (4 bit) Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 9	Format HI. I want to format my entire hardrive. it is in 1 partion namely my c: drive and then a empty(unallocated) f: drive. Also there is 1 gig of free space(What used to be a logical drive). I would like to format the entire disk and make them one again.(if this is possible). Also how would i go about keeping the information on my c: drive. Thanx. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-09-2006, 12:33 PM	#2
*glc* Forum Administrator Staff Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 36,460	Formatting will delete all information. You need to copy what you need to something else, external hard drive, CDR or DVDR, etc. Boot with the XP CD, go into Setup, and remove all partitions. Then install XP on the unallocated space (which should be ALL you will see now). Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-09-2006, 02:22 PM	#3
Gambit17 Member (4 bit) Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 9	Thanx GLC. Just want to check a few things before i do something dangerous. I copy everything onto a removable storge disk etc.(CD, DVD, Ipod). Then do i just boot from xp disc and say delete all partitions. And then... reinstall Xp on unallocated space? Will I see the unallocated space during xp install to do so? Sorry Im a patzer(beginner). I also heard its advisable to install Operating System on 1 partition(2 gigs in size) and create a second partition for rest of my stuff. Would i be able to set this up during the installation process. Thanx. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-09-2006, 02:41 PM	#4
EzyStvy Ride 'em Cowboy Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 9,018	delete all partitions re-create partition(s) format install Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Stand Up 2 Cancer - SU2C

10-09-2006, 03:43 PM	#5
Gambit17 Member (4 bit) Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 9	Urgent I have a big problem. Im am on a different computer now. The one i was going to fromat has crashed. What i did was a booted from XP disk. I didnt push any buttons nothing just wanted to check what was going on and then exit. IT then offered me the chance to exit setup i took it and now when i try to turn my computer on booting from hard drive it gives me a grubb error(17) please if anyone could help me. thanx Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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10-09-2006, 04:01 PM	#6
EzyStvy Ride 'em Cowboy Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 9,018	I think the error message is related to a linux boot loader...Do you have linux installed? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-09-2006, 04:35 PM	#7
Gambit17 Member (4 bit) Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 9	ya i do. but i wasnt having this problem until i booted from the xp disk Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-09-2006, 04:53 PM	#8
Gambit17 Member (4 bit) Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 9	Do you have any suggestions? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-09-2006, 05:00 PM	#9
Gambit17 Member (4 bit) Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 9	what it might have been is i had linux installed on a seperate partition and then i deleted it. ?? plz help. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-09-2006, 05:11 PM	#10
EzyStvy Ride 'em Cowboy Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 9,018	Search here and the internet for removing the boot loader. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-09-2006, 05:16 PM	#11
Gambit17 Member (4 bit) Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 9	sorry to bother but what exactly is a boot loader and what does it do Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-09-2006, 07:10 PM	#12
Gambit17 Member (4 bit) Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 9	Got it workin thanx. Just reinstalled Linux. Ill be back later to find out more aout formating. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-10-2006, 10:54 AM	#13
*glc* Forum Administrator Staff Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 36,460	If you have Linux on there, you need to zero fill the drive before you try to reinstall XP. Repartitioning with the XP CD will not remove the Linux boot loader. http://www.killdisk.com/ Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-10-2006, 04:51 PM	#15
*glc* Forum Administrator Staff Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 36,460	Zero fill takes care of everything without wondering if you got it all. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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