Formatting HDD in Win 2000

[espresso]

I have 2 40GB HDDs. Checking in Computer Management of my Windows 2000 Pro system I see

Disk O - with the OS has a Primary Partition (C drive) NTFS, plus a Logical Drive (D) FAT 32

Disk 1 is used solely for Data Backup seems to have 2 Primary Partitions

I recently wanted to reformat Disk 0 and install Windows XP.

I was unable to reformat the HDD in Windows as it would not allow this procedure while in Windows.

I assumed I would get this option running XP set up. Instead all I got was a request asking me which HDD I wished to install XP. Choosing Disk 0, I was then warned that it was not recommended to install two OS on the same drive.

I then decided to reinstall Windows 2000 Pro and see if I got a reformat HDD option - basically the same options kicked in.

Someone gave me a DOS boot disk and suggested running FDISK, but all I got was a message that file NTDLR (or some such combo of letters) was missing.

Any help appreciated

thanks

[Murf]

Welcome to CTH

You cannot format a NTFS partition with FDISK. You would have to delete the NTFS partition and make a new FAT partition, which you would loose all data.

If you boot with the XP CD you can accomplish this. Here is a good article as you want to reformat and do a clean install.

http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/expertzone/columns/honeycutt/02october07.asp