format hd in xp?

imachode · 08-07-2002, 09:01 PM

i feel dumb asking, but i guess i'm already an idiot so what the heck.

um. i've never had to do this in xp yet, and so...... how do you format drives in winXP? in win98 and 2k, i would normally do it from shuting down into dos mode and doing it from there... but is there a "best" way for xp?

thanks in advance..

hapoo · 08-07-2002, 09:13 PM

go to "my computer", right click on the drive and select format

imachode · 08-07-2002, 09:21 PM

thanks

Jeffbx · 08-08-2002, 05:48 AM

Or, go to Start.. Administrative Tools.. Computer Management.. Disk Management. You can do whatever you want to the disks there (including partitioning).

~~Cantacuzene~~ · 08-08-2002, 04:00 PM

If you are formatting a drive that has XP on it already (your windows scratch volume) you will have to restart and boot from the XP cd. Then you will choose the option, "Repair an installtion," which will allow you to format. XP wont let you format a drive that is in use. It took me a while to figure out how to do it right, especially because the person's comp who I was formatting forgot the administrator password, so I had to find a way around that first. Really annoying.

imachode · 08-08-2002, 05:53 PM

thanks for all the replies.

is there a difference in formatting the way hapoo mentioned vs formatting via Disk Managment?

~~DoPeY5007~~ · 08-08-2002, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by imachode
thanks for all the replies.

is there a difference in formatting the way hapoo mentioned vs formatting via Disk Managment?

nope

GilbertsGrape · 08-10-2002, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DoPeY5007
nope

I disagree. You can select partition information using the disk management snapin and decide if you want to partition it or of you only want to format part of the drive and leave the other part unformatted, and numerous other features not available by just right clicking on the drive and selecting format

Ladogaboy · 08-10-2002, 09:39 AM

When you reformat through XP, does it give you the option of choosing NTFS vs FAT32?

GilbertsGrape · 08-10-2002, 10:49 AM

It depends on how large of a partition you want. If you want a 120GB partition your only choice will be NTFS. if you want a partition of like 30 GB (I forget the limit for a FAT partition/formatting I think it is almost 40 GB ) you have a choice between FAT and NTFS

L8R,
Garpe

08-07-2002, 09:01 PM	#1
imachode Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: in the double L Posts: 116	format hd in xp? i feel dumb asking, but i guess i'm already an idiot so what the heck. um. i've never had to do this in xp yet, and so...... how do you format drives in winXP? in win98 and 2k, i would normally do it from shuting down into dos mode and doing it from there... but is there a "best" way for xp? thanks in advance.. __________________ i like chicken...

08-07-2002, 09:13 PM	#2
hapoo Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: 742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield USA Posts: 9,276	go to "my computer", right click on the drive and select format __________________

08-10-2002, 09:39 AM	#9
Ladogaboy Admiral Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Hiding amongst the minnows Posts: 6,843	When you reformat through XP, does it give you the option of choosing NTFS vs FAT32? __________________ It is not enough to merely touch the face of god; you also must open your eyes so that you may see your palm.

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08-07-2002, 09:21 PM	#3
imachode Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: in the double L Posts: 116	thanks

08-08-2002, 05:48 AM	#4
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	Or, go to Start.. Administrative Tools.. Computer Management.. Disk Management. You can do whatever you want to the disks there (including partitioning).

08-08-2002, 04:00 PM	#5
~~Cantacuzene~~ Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Posts: 8,700	If you are formatting a drive that has XP on it already (your windows scratch volume) you will have to restart and boot from the XP cd. Then you will choose the option, "Repair an installtion," which will allow you to format. XP wont let you format a drive that is in use. It took me a while to figure out how to do it right, especially because the person's comp who I was formatting forgot the administrator password, so I had to find a way around that first. Really annoying.

08-08-2002, 05:53 PM	#6
imachode Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: in the double L Posts: 116	thanks for all the replies. is there a difference in formatting the way hapoo mentioned vs formatting via Disk Managment?

08-10-2002, 10:49 AM	#10
GilbertsGrape Captain Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: You can’t get there from here, USA Posts: 1,797	It depends on how large of a partition you want. If you want a 120GB partition your only choice will be NTFS. if you want a partition of like 30 GB (I forget the limit for a FAT partition/formatting I think it is almost 40 GB ) you have a choice between FAT and NTFS L8R, Garpe

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