This step by step guide will show you how to format hard drive to receive the operating system using the Windows installation CD.
When you need to install the operating system for the first time or need to install the operating system on a new hard drive, you must first format the hard drive. Without a format, the hard drive cannot be used to install the operating system.
Step 1
PreparationIn order to format hard drive we need a Windows installation CD (XP Pro is used in this guide) and set the booting sequence to start booting from the CD. If not already done, go into your motherboard bios and change the sequence order to CD then hard drive respectively.
Note: If you reformat hard drive to install a fresh copy of the operating system, it might be wise to backup files you do not want to lose. You can backup on an other drive or burn the files on a CD or DVD. Files like images, Internet bookmarks, mail addresses, texts, videos and MP3s are files who peoples want to keep.
Step 2
Insert the Windows installation CD into the CD drive and reboot your computer.Step 3
While the computer boot, watch for the screen text "Press any key to boot from CD..." and press a key to boot from the Windows CD. You have to act quickly, you have only few seconds to decide. Pass that, the computer will try to boot from the hard drive.If you do not get that message it means your booting sequence is wrong. Change it as specified in step 1.
Step 4
Now your screen should turn to blue. The CD is loading the files that are needed to start the format and Windows installation process. Wait until it is done and then continue to the next step.Step 5
At the Setup Windows XP screen, press Enter to continue.At the Windows XP licensing agreement screen, press F8 to continue.
Step 6
Windows XP Professional Setup ScreenThe CD ask if we want to repair the actual Windows system (if there is one already installed) or install a fresh copy. As we want to format our hard drive, we will continue by choosing the install a fresh copy. Press Esc to continue.
Step 7
We are now at a screen with many options and a box containing the hard drives partitions.If you reformat hard drive to install a fresh copy, the drive C: should look like this.
C: Partition1 [NTFS]
In order to format hard drive we will delete and create a new partition to erase the C drive of all its contains and then continue to the next step formatting the drive. If you format a new hard drive, skip the partition deletion step.
Partition Deletion
With the arrow keys, highlight the drive C: and then press D to delete the partition.Partitioning
At the confirmation screen, press Enter to confirm and then L on the next screen to confirm again.
The CD ask for all these confirmations for ensuring the user does not make an unrecoverable mistake.
Now the drive partition should say Unpartitioned space.
With the arrow keys, again highlight the Unpartitioned space and then press C to create a partition.
At the comfirmation screen you can accept the default partition setting, it will use the maximum space it will find on your hard drive. Press Enter to start the partitioning process.
Step 8
The drive C: partition should now look like this.C: Partition 1 [New(Raw)]
We can now format the drive C: by highlighting the partition with the arrow keys and then press Enter.
With the arrow keys highlight Quick or Default NTFS file system and then press Enter. If it is the first time you format your hard drive, it should be better to choose the Default, it will do a full format of the hard drive.
Sit back and wait for the formatting finish. When it will be done, the CD will start the Windows installation automatically. Follow the instructions at the screen and the Windows system will be installed in less than 1 hour.
[I hope you appreciated the format hard drive guide
and I invite you to take a look at the other guides.]
and I invite you to take a look at the other guides.]