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OK, so, I decided I want to make a fresh install of windows. So, how do I format the hard drive? I rebooted onto the CD and went into the recovery consol, from there can I just use the format command to wipe the disk (fat32)? or am I totally lost?
[edit] oh yeah, Dell: XP [/edit]
use ntfs for xp, search the tech board we've explained this more times then i can count.
Get yourself a DOS boot image , And use the "format" command to clear the
drive. Though this might not clear all the files from XP so if you
want to do things really well, You should connect the drive to
another computer and format it from the other comp's OS.
all right, I read into the subject more, now I have more of an idea of what I am doing. anyways, thanks.
now, another question:
when I go to install XP and it asks me to choose a partition (and gives me options to make/delete partitions) I have two partitions:
-: Partition1 [FAT] 31 MB (24 MB Free)
and my c drive of course (fat32), but what is this other partition? the "-" partition.
It's your partition, no? :)
Maybe it's a temporary partition to the installation, hah, try understanding microsoft...
Ah, the mysterious "EISA" partition that exists on many Dell PCs, including the one I have at home. For years, archaeologists have been hacking away at the walls of this tomb trying to discover its secrets, but I can't for the life of me mount the <bleep>er.
Of course, it may just be that little proggy that runs when you first switch on your computer from the box and asks you if you agree to the licence agreement?
Nah, 30MB+ is a bit much for just that... :p
do what you can to delete it. You'll save yourself a lot of hassle and it'll make your computer run faster in most cases.
I wiped it, along with my other partition, worked fine. I partitioned it into two equall (10gig) sections and then installed windows on the first partition. I plan to mandrakize the second partition soon.
Thanks guys.
>>Ah, the mysterious "EISA" partition that exists on many Dell PCs, including the one I have at home. For years, archaeologists have been hacking away at the walls of this tomb trying to discover its secrets, but I can't for the life of me mount the <bleep>er.
::never had this partition on any of his dells::
::totally lost::
:confused: