Format

[jackson55]

I have a Windows XPP Laptop that I am trying to clean install & delete the partition. This machine only has one partition on the disk. When I try to delete the partition using the Windows XPP SP 2 disk it says there are setup files using this partition & it cannot be deleted. Does anyone have an easy way around this? I want this laptop to have a clean install.

Thanks,

Jackson

 

[dglienna]

Start the computer with the XP disk inside, and press the button when it prompts you to BOOT FROM xxx DEVICE

-David
2006 & 2007 Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP)
2006 Dell Certified System Professional (CSP)

 

[linney]

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


For more help (shows enlargeable screenshots) go here.

http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm

 

[jackson55]

These are both great ideas, but the issue with this laptop in particular is that it does not have an internal hard drive, you have to use an external drive. Running windows setup alone will not allow you to delete the partition because there are setup fies in use on it.

 

[dglienna]

Copy the setup files to the drive, and then boot it up and install. It should work.

-David
2006 & 2007 Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP)
2006 Dell Certified System Professional (CSP)

 

[linney]

Will something like this do what you want?

Delpart

http://www.russelltexas.com/delpart.htm