This explains step-by-step how to format hard drive partition using the Windows XP installation CD.
Before you continue, make sure you have backup of all documents you may need that are saved in C:, My Documents folder or your desktop.
Tip: Click the images to enlarge.
Step 1- Installation CD Insert your Windows XP installation disc into your CD or DVD drive.
Step 2 – Restart your computer and start Windows setup using Microsoft Windows bootable XP disk
Tutorial 2: Press any key to boot from CD
Restart your computer. As you computer boots, a screen with message “Press any key to boot from CD..” will show up counting from 9 to 0, here you need to press any key to start the setup. Note: If your computer doesn’t display the “Press any key to boot from CD..” message (by default it should), check your motherboard manual for info where to enable the “Boot from CD” setting, after you enable “Boot from CD” option from your BIOS, the message will show.
Step 3 – System Loading
Tutorial 3: Windows setup is loading files
After you enter the setup, the CD will load up a blue screen and will start loading operating system files (this make take few minutes). When it finishes, it will list a few options, “Press ENTER to set up Windows XP now” is the one we need. Click it.
Step 4 – Accept Windows usage agreement
Tutorial 4: Press F8 to accept microsoft licence agreement
Second screen is “The windows usage agreement”. It should be displayed now, showing that you need to press F8 to accept the agreement. Press F8 to accept. How to format a computer
Step 5 – Setup start
Tutorial 5: Press enter to start the windows installation
If an existing Windows XP installation is detected by the system, you are prompted to repair it. We will bypass this step
Step 6 – Delete old partition and format
Tutorial 6: Delete existing partition "C"
Tutorial 6.1: Confirm deleting of partition - press " D "
Tutorial 6.2: Confirm the deleting by pressing " L "
At this point you need to select the partition where you prefer to install Windows Xp. This is where you will delete your partition and format drive C. The box in the lower half of the screen shows all your drives and the partitions that currently exist on your hard disk. Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to highlight/select your “C:” partition and press the “D” key (pic 6.1). On the next screen press the ‘L’ key (pic 6.2) to confirm that you want to delete partition “C:”, and finalize the deleting of the partition. (if you have only “Unpartitioned space” and you have no C: or D: partitions, skip this step) How to format a computer
Step 7 – Create installation partition
Tutorial 7: Select unpartitioned space and press " C "
Now you should be back on the screen prompted to choose where to install Windows. The box on the lower half of the screen should no longer show a partition, instead of “C:” you should see “Unpartitioned space xxxxxMB”. Select/highlight this with the arrow keys and press the “C” key to create a partition on the drive (this is where you will install windows). Now setup tells you the minimum and maximum sizes the partition can use and lets you pick the size. The default size is the maximum available, leave the default value and press Enter.
Step 8 – Format the computer (the hard disk)
Tutorial 8: Select format using NTFS (Quick) and hit Enter
This screen lets you choose the file system you prefer the drive to be formatted with. Choose NTFS “Quick” (recommended because NTFS is faster and more secure). Use the arrow keys to select and hit Enter. How to format a computer
Step 9 – Start Windows XP Setup Setup will start to and will auto-format the “C:” partition, and start with Windows XP installation. From here you are all set and the installation of Windows will proceed. This will take a while. The computer will reboot several times, and will continue with installation. Don’t remove the Windows XP setup CD, and don’t press a key when prompted (we already did that).
Tutorial 9: Setup is formatting
Tutorial 9.2: Setup reboots
Tutorial 9.1: Copying files needed for windows setup
Thanks for the tutorial on format windows xp, and a video on how to format would be great
@Windows XP
Thanks for the tip, will update the post with video soon ;)
This is the best XP installation tutorial I’ve seen. Beats the hell out of anything M$FT has done.
it,s very valuble to people like us,who learning computer ,, great thanks
Indeed the information provided is valuable yet simple.
yes i might be learn with your tutorial, but i wonder how to execute on how to located the BIOS i think, where it could boot for cd/dvd. can u show me also the turorial about that? will i thank you for your computer formating tutorial…
The fastest way to locate the Boot from CD option, is to go into google.com and search for – your motherboard model and add bios boot from cd
Or you can try to press F2 (sometimes F8) at the second boot load screen – right after the computer stars and finished showing computer hardware details ( cpu, ram etc)
This is very useful instruction for me to format my computer attached with video so i am very thankful for this process.
i format my pc with windows xp original but i insert local windows xp cd and my license key is original.my window xp can be come original or not ? i can doing like this or not?
This is very useful instruction for me to format my computer attached with video so I am very thankful for this process.
I hope you will give us new techniwues also.
thanks for the tutorial.. it is really useful as it had screen shots too
THANKS … VERY USEFUL & IMPORTANT !!!!!
omg thank you so much! kept having problems till i came to you!
i love you! lol
thanks again, awesome tut.
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my computer ( dell ) unable to detect the new cd rom , suspected wrong setting the jumper .Any idea ?
Thanks very much for submitting such an important tips which is universal in use.
Please where can i locate the bios and my mother board type from?
Thanks Bro….
Download http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Info/Everest-Home-Edition.shtml
You will find all informations about your hardware with this software. Btw its free! :)
Hello. I’ve just purchased your book at http://computerformatguide.info and I’ve formatted my pc without any problems. Thanks a lot
thnks a lot for ur useful tips…it helped me very much and saved my money as well.hehehe!
Thanks for the tutorial.my laptop(samsung) cannot boot from the cd when the cd is inserted it gives message “insert cd to the drive”
Your CD is either damaged or not bootable. Test it on another PC / try with another CD
thankz a lot for your tutorial reallt helped lotzzzzzzzzzz
thanks………for providing such easy to learn info……..
thank you for providing such to learn info……….
Im there “Setup is formatting… 93%”
And it crushed. I have already tried different XP CD-s, but nothing helped. All the time same thing, it goes to 93% and then it will crush.. or idk what its doing. What should i do? PC is just laying and waiting for the bitter end!
Sorry for my faulty English!
Most probably your hard disk has bad sectors. If you have other PC/some friend perhaps. Do a google search for repair bad sectors on hard drive.
Note: The process is very long, can take up to 24hours
i format my computer with windows XP ….until page setup windows the keyboard cannot detected…please help solve this problem