Formatting a Hard Disk Drive for Windows XP
Last updated: 6/02/02

How can I format the NTSF Hard-drive?

Backup your data, etc. (http://duxcw.com/digest/guides/hd/rules.htm). Use fdisk on a Startup floppy (http://duxcw.com/digest/Fromshop/software/windows/startup/startup.htm and http://duxcw.com/digest/Howto/software/windows/winme/
startup/page1.html) to remove the NTFS partitions. Create FAT32 partitions and format them. Install XP from the DOS prompt (http://duxcw.com/faq/win/xp/clean.htm and http://duxcw.com/faq/win/xp/oeminst.htm). The FA32 partitions can then be converted to NTFS during the XP install. Convert C:, don’t format it again.

Is there startup disk for Windows XP?

Yes, sort of… “It” is really six floppy disks, which is not an easy way to boot a computer in my opinion… Just Microsoft’s little way to make things a whole lot easier for the user—grrrrrrr!

Or can you make one from the XP program?

No. You can download them. Microsoft’s way to make things easier for the user… especially when the computer has been formatted, etc. and there is no way access the Internet. I would not do it this way. See http://duxcw.com/faq/win/xp/clean.htm. Larry

Windows XP FAQ Index

Windows FAQ Index

Also, see Windows Tips and Tricks.