Formating

[DLeonR]

How would I format a HDD on a laptop that is running windows xp and everything is on the root drive. (no partition) [LIST=1]
I tried and it won't let me because I am windows trying to do it. If I had a floppy drive on the laptop I would not have a problem.
I need to wipe the drive clean and re-install windows xp pro.

[mjc]

The laptop has a CD drive, right?

From the XP install CD...it will give you all the options to format the drive or to repair the current install.

Or you can find a disk wiping utility, like one of the ones on UBCD (http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/)...

Remember, formatting can never be done from within Windows on the partition that Windows is running from...Windows won't allow it.

[DLeonR]

Thanks mjc, foolish me trying to format from the dos prompt. Thanks again. I am just not thinking.