Need help formattin a hard drive.

I just assembled my first computer, and messed something up when I installed windows xp media edition. I wasn't able to figure out what I'd done, and I stupidly didn't recod error messages, etc, so I decided to format the drive and try again, except I can't. The ways I found on the MS website and through google don't work, and I don't know any others.
The computer isn't recognising the LAN driver so I can't connect to the internet, nor is it recognising the driver for the cd drive, even though it was working up until yesterday, so I can't use the install discs. The only way to get information to the computer is through my 2G flash drive. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

thats what friends are for

check the bios settings to make sure that all the proper channels are enabled and nothing is set wrong. Next set the boot sequence to cdrom first and place your windows install disc in the drive and then restart the machine. if the disc doesn't autostart then give me a hit back.

best of luck

 

results

It runs through the hardware monitor then prompts "boot from cd: ", but I can't get it to recognise any keystrokes. then it prompts "press any key to boot from cd ", but again, it won't recognise keystrokes. after a while it times out and starts windows, I guess from the hard drive. it does the same thing when I don't hit any keys.
Just for clarification, I do have windows installed, just not everything is working, and there are lots of other problems I don't understand, hence starting over.

 

Is your keyboard USB? Some BIOSes can have problems with USB keyboards (my old one locked up if you tried to use one). If so, try using a PS/2 keyboard.

 

You have 2 more options, I had to use them once in a similar situation like your'e
in. If you have someone with a Internet connection go to the MS site and download the Windows XP boot disk's in CD form ISO File or Floppy, 6 Floppy's and boot of them and it will work.If you have no Floppy drive borrow one or buy one they are only $20.- or less and just temporarily connect it to your mobo.

 

Wiffles: I tried my old ps/2 keyboard and got the same problem. It's good to know that can happen, though, so thanks anyway.

Hawk: I found the download, but I'll try it tomorrow and post my results, as it is very much time to go to bed right now

 

No luck. I experimented with the file, but it demands a floppy drive, and I can't get my hands on one right now for reasons that are long, involved, and actually rather boring. a friend of a friend has offered to help, so I'm going to accept. Thanks for the help anyway.