Formatting a hard drive

[Henry]

Hello,
I want to format my hardrive for the first time my myself. So I was wondering if any of you have a step by step tutorial on how to do it. From formatting to installing the operating system. Thanks.

[cydo]

Depends on the operating system you want to install. If you're about to install Windows 2k/XP this is a rather simple step: put in your cd, reboot and (if your bios settings are ok) it shall boot right off the cd. During partion setup delete all partitions and recreate a new one (the partition will be automatically formated). Continue installing (language, timezone, etc.) - and you're done. (assuming windows recognized all your hardware).
Ok, this isn't a step by step tutorial, but it really depends on which OS you're trying to install. And don't forget: with formatting your drive you loose ALL DATA. I repeat: EVERYTHING. all emails, all favourites, all documents, all everything.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Definately tell us what OS you're using. If its an OLD computer and a HUGE hard drive, you may happen upon other problems.

[Henry]

Hey guys.... sorry I left that out....
I am running xp pro and I gonna install xp pro after I format the hard drive...
I hope that helps to describe in step I have to do.

[Henry]

Depends on the operating system you want to install. If you're about to install Windows 2k/XP this is a rather simple step: put in your cd, reboot and (if your bios settings are ok) it shall boot right off the cd. During partion setup delete all partitions and recreate a new one (the partition will be automatically formated). Continue installing (language, timezone, etc.) - and you're done. (assuming windows recognized all your hardware).
Ok, this isn't a step by step tutorial, but it really depends on which OS you're trying to install. And don't forget: with formatting your drive you loose ALL DATA. I repeat: EVERYTHING. all emails, all favourites, all documents, all everything.

but is there a step before that? like typing format or something somewhere?

[Shane R. Monroe]

Nope.

Boot off the XP CD. When you get to the part where it askes you what partition to install to, DELETE the existing partition, CREATE a new partition, and it will format it for you.

I highly recommend NTFS.