HD format?

[ksdul]

I need to wipe my hard drive clean and re-install Windows2000. I attempted to over-write the existing Windows2000 OS and ended up creating a dual OS, both Win2000. I was advised to use the Dos6.22 boot disk to go to DOS but when my computer keeps reading system disk error when I try to boot with that disk. How can I reformat the C drive on Windows2000?

[degsy]

If your drive is FAT32 then use a Win9x startup disk.
Use FDISK to delete the partitions.


Another option is to use the drive utilities from your HDD Manufacturers site. They usually have drive setup software.

[ksdul]

If your drive is FAT32 then use a Win9x startup disk.
Use FDISK to delete the partitions.


Another option is to use the drive utilities from your HDD Manufacturers site. They usually have drive setup software.

Thanks, unfortunately it runs from NT.

[Murf]

Hi Welcometo CTH

degsy is right if it is FAT 32, right click on "My Computer" then to Manage, then highlight Disk Management. Under your C: drive it will tell you.

If it is FAT, then go HERE, (http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm) and download a Windows 98 bootdisk, double click on the file after download and extract to a clean floppy.

Now boot with this floppy and procede to format.

If the partition is NTFS, then post back.

[Murf]

Boot with the CD. Then choose new installation. It will ask you if you want to delete the Windows installation. Say yes.

Now you may have to do it again as you have two W2K's loaded.

Then reboot again with the cd and iyou can reformat and reinstall.

[ksdul]

Hi Welcometo CTH

degsy is right if it is FAT 32, right click on "My Computer" then to Manage, then highlight Disk Management. Under your C: drive it will tell you.

If it is FAT, then go HERE, (http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm) and download a Windows 98 bootdisk, double click on the file after download and extract to a clean floppy.

Now boot with this floppy and procede to format.

If the partition is NTFS, then post back.

The file system says NTFS. Can I change it to FAT 32? Thanks.

[modmidget]

Nope! You can't change NTFS to FAT32.

You need a DOS boot disk with the FDISK and FORMAT progams on it.

Boot with the dos disk then run FDISK. Delete all partitions, especially the NON-DOS partition. After deleteing the partitions create a single DOS partition then reboot using the DOS diskette. After rebooting FORMAT the C drive. Now you can remove the boot diskette and reboot again. During the reboot press DEL or F2 or whatever key is required to get into BIOS. Find the boot sequence setting in BIOS and set it so the first boot device is your CD. Place the Win2K CD in the drive, save & exit BIOS and the PC will automatically reboot (hopefully from the CD). At this point you should be taken directly into Win2K setup.

This is just my own personal preference but I would recommend that you choose the FAT32 file system during setup. If you choose NTFS you'll not be able to do anything with the 'C' drive in DOS.

[Cyril]

Is there a How To that anyone can point me to. I have done the same thing but looks like 2nd install has errors. Unable to configure hardware so can't connect to the net, and this one I'm on floppy drive doesn't work so can't download any files.

[ksdul]

Is there a How To that anyone can point me to. I have done the same thing but looks like 2nd install has errors. Unable to configure hardware so can't connect to the net, and this one I'm on floppy drive doesn't work so can't download any files.

I have figured out how and have successfully reformatted my drive. You will need to make a Win2000 boot disk, which I downloaded from bootdisk.com. It requires 4 floppies. Install the 1st boot disk and restart the computer. As the computer starts, just follow the prompts for the next 3 disks. After the last disk boots, it lists the options of starting Windows 2000, exiting, or repairing. Choose Repair by pressing R, then follow the prompts. While doing this, you must install Windows 2000 CD and do not remove floppy 4 until later. The screen will inform you about deleting all programs and data, choose yes, then when the black command screen comes up you will have to enter some commands. I sort of had to figure out the command myself. After the c:/>, i entered
FORMAT C: \fs
I had to try various commands and BEWARE that you cannot back out is you create an error. Try typing "help" after the c prompt. If anyone reads this that is certain of the command please list it.
After the command is accepted the computer will format the drive and then start loading the data from the CD, thus creating a new Windows install. The Microsoft self-help section listed on bootdisk.com will clarify this better. Good luck, and I hope this helps.