Help with partitioned disk! No idea what to do.

Hi.
I have a huge prob. I have a 40GB partitioned disk and I want to format it in order to reinstall everything form the beginning.
I don't know what I did, but I have Windows XP installed in both partitions and I can't delete them nor format them.
Is there any app which will allow me to format the entire disk, delete the partitions and start over with XP installation?
I have an assembled PC and I don't know how I can get hard disk's manufacturer in order to download any possible utility to reformat the disk.
I hope you guys understood.

Many thanx in advance.

Alex

 

Hi ultrariver

Go here and download and install Belarc Advisor
It will generate a profile of your systems hardware.
It should show the make of your hard drive.
http://www.belarc.com/Download.html

 

Do you have an XP cd? You can start from scratch with just XP. Your hard drive will be formatted when you are done. Do all your back ups and reinstall. If you want to clean those extra partitions beforehand, right click on them from My Comp and choose format. That will wipe it clean. Do a BBS search on reinstalling. There have been some great links posted recently- one that walks you through it step by step with screencaps. If I weren't so tired, I'd hunt it down for you- maybe someone else has it handy.

Don't make it more complicated than it is. But if you don't have an XP disk, leave your main partition alone.

Johanna

 

Hi Ultrariver, and welcome aboard ...

Most of the regulars here will tell you that everything can be done from an XP CD, but I've had some bad experiences going that route.

I'd much rather use a third party program, such as PartitionMagic (8.0 is available online for about ± $28 (incl. shipping) ... once you create the Rescue Diskettes you can boot from them and format/resize partitions to your heart's content, then reinstall XP on your C: partition.

Not the only answer, I'm sure, but it works for me, and I won't do it any other way.

 

During a reinstall, you have the options to reset the size and amounts of the partitions (In Mgs). If XP is so broken or corrupt that I want to dump it and start it clean, I would not want to use what I currently have, like recue disks would do. I have an ME boot disk with NFDISK on it, too, for when I really need to clean up a mess. Then I reinstall XP, tweak it to Luna Blue and follow my checklist:

XP Reinstall Checklist

1. Turn off M$ auto-update.
Control Panel/System/Auto Update
IE/Tools/Internet options/Advanced scroll to find auto update for M$ IE and uncheck

2. XP Firewall is enabled by default. Disable by
Control Panel/Network Connections/Local Area Connections/General/Properties/Advanced

3. Password Expiration (Pro only, I think)
Control Panel/ Administrative Tools/Local Security Policy/
change password expiration to 0

4. Disable annoying balloon tips
Go to the M$ site and download TweakUI (Powertoys) and navigate to Taskbar- uncheck the balloon tip box

5. Set up start menu
right click on taskbar/ Properties
I have Lock the taskbar, keep taskbar on top/ and enable Quicklaunch checked. I usually put a shortcut to WE there, too.

6. Turn off auto restart
Control Panel/System/Advanced/Startup and recovery
uncheck auto restart to prevent an endless loop of boots when you are having trouble

7.Set Folder options
Control Panel/Folder options/view
scroll through the list and determine what works best for you
I want my system folders to show, and my file extensions not hidden. I also want it to remember how I closed the window the next time I open it. Check remember folder's view settings and press the control key while closing each window to set it.

8. set log on password
I use this mainly for the keyboard lock which is windows key and "L" pressed together. (I have 2 preschoolers who love to push buttons!)
Control Panel/User Accounts/Select Account/Password

9. Get Rid of Bliss
Go to Control Panel/Display/Desktop
scroll to none, pick your color- I like XP default blue or plain black

10. Get rid of M$ Messenger
windows-help.net
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

Then I install Norton, go online, and update until it quits. I get my M$ updates from the catalog, and I have them already burned to a cd. Then it's just a matter of reinstalling the software. I keep a current Belarc printout, and my cds are all in my Mobo box.
A reinstall is a good housecleaning! Install, reboot, get coffee, install reboot, more coffee, install reboot, visit bathroom...etc Nice way to kill an afternoon! LOL
Johanna

 

I thought Lunacy D) was the default.

Norton? You'll be so-r-r-r-ry!

 

I have relied on NIS 2002 and 2003, and as long as the install comes AFTER XP and BEFORE any other thing, have had NO prbolems with it. I have found it to be reliable and effective.

"Bliss" is XP's default desktop.

Johanna

 

If I may offer Ultrariver a suggestion or two.
If you really want to tackle this job on your own, here is a nice tutorial on how to go about doing what's necessary:

http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/expertzone/columns/honeycutt/02october07.asp

Be sure to read all the included links on that tutorial.

However, keeping in mind your status as a "beginner ",
you might want to consider taking the hard drive or the entire tower to a local computer repair shop and let them do it.

It shouldn't take more than 30-45 minutes to do what's necessary, including the time it takes to do a DOS format on a 40 Gb hard drive.

Just ask them to remove the partition, making the hard drive a one partition drive and wipe it clean if that is what you want.
Then it will be all set for you to make a fresh install of XP.
You will have to enter your bios during the boot up (post) period to set the first boot item to be the CDROM drive.
After XP is installed, reboot and change back to HD first, floppy second and CDROM third in the boot up sequence.

Daddad

 

"Bliss" is the name of XP's default Desktop background image, or "wallpaper" (as it was called in Win9x), which is not what we're talking about. "Luna" is the name MS gave to XP's default look, or "theme" ( "skin ", if you prefer), although on the Appearance tab of Display Properties, it's referred to simply as "Windows XP style ".

For an interesting article on the subject, click here.

 

Thanx to all the people who tried to help me.
I have one more question.
When I start a new installation from the cd and I choose to install it onto C, it says that I already have Windows installed in that partition and a new installation could cause conflicts.
What I gotta do?

Many thanx.

Alex

 

Alex:
Ignore the warning and proceed. It's just letting you know that system files are about to be overwritten by the new install, which is what you want to do anyway.

JSS3
"Bliss" is a desktop wallpaper, and "Luna" is an XP theme, correct. "Bliss" (The windswept meadow) is the default desktop on a clean install. I use Luna skins for everything, from ICQ to MMJB. My desktop is plain blue, now and then I put a pic in the center, just for fun. When I work on older computers, the stark gray and white remind me that I'm not in XP land, and to act accordingly. And, a wonderful thing about our comps is being able to choose EXACTLY how we want them to look, and what we want them to do. I respect your preference for the Classic look, but I'll stay with Luna Blue! I just happen to think it is easy on the eyes, and attractive. Next time you fly to Ohio, stop in for supper and I'll show you!
Johanna
(Yes, our village has its own airport!)

 

Thanx a lot Johanna!!!