format hard drive

[onthehunt]

how do i format hard drive...take windows ME off and put on either windows 2000 or windows XP

 

[wolluf]

If you just want to wipe it, 2k & XP both have partitioning tolls as part of set up. So just boot from 2k/XP install CD, and when it asks where to install, use the tools to remove existing partition(s) and create new one(s). Easy.

 

[onthehunt]

ty for reply..don't i need to wipe ME off first....format c or something?

 

[onthehunt]

what you mean use the tools to remove it?

 

[1101001100110101]

No if your computer supports booting to cd, just boot to the win2k cd and it will let you delete and make partions before it installs the OS.

 

[wolluf]

It will display existing partition(s). When one is highlighted, hit the D key, then follow the prompts to confirm you really want to delete it. When gone, you will just see unpartitioned space. Hit C key, and it will prompt you for size of new partition (or just select unpartitioned space to install into & it will create partition using it all). Then asks if you want to format fat32 or ntfs. After this install continues.

 

[onthehunt]

ty again.. i sent another post..i guess it didn't go through...i am going to get XP now..i was waiting for reply ti post that didn't post OOPPSSS i wanted to know if it was worth getting XP over 2000..my coworkers says yes..especially since i am on internet alot surfing...something about better for internet and more stable...he is not sure about partitions...do i need them? what if i don't have them?

 

[wolluf]

XP and 2k have very similar stability and internet capabilities - but XP is a bit newer, will be supported longer and has a few extra goodies (I use both - prefer 2k slightly but would recommend getting XP - though its more resource hungry. You'll need at least 256MB RAM - 512 better).

Partitioning is the same (XP & 2k's tools to create/delete partitions are virtually identical). As I explained above, you can remove existing (ME) partition and create a new partition for XP (or 2k) during the install process. You need to create at least one partition to install the operating system. And you should definitely remove the ME partition first (obviously back up anything you want to save before doing this).