I can't find any bootable tool for doing this.
I heard about fdisc, but it doesn't support 250gb.

http://www.windowsitpro.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=38803&DisplayTab=Article

http://www.48bitlba.com/

What version of Standalone DOS are you using ?????

You don't use fdisk to "format" a drive, anyhow. fdisk, and format, both, depending on their versions--there are several--are actual FILES that you RUN as a PROGRAM at the "DOS" level. Whether DOS2xx, DOS6xx, "the DOS" under Windblows 95, 98, or ME, you must have these two files to run them. Depending on the version will limit how large a partition you can create, and how big a drive/partition you can format.

What are you REALLY trying to do? That is, install Winblows 98, or NT, or W2K, or XP??

Ummm, what exactly do you mean?
What i'm looking for is a bootcd or bootdisk that contains a tool for formatting. I'm kinda assuming it would contain some kind of DOS. I'm sorry if i'm way wrong.

I'm trying to install windows xp, but the isntall won't start properly and i think that's because i formatted and partitioned in the debian installation because i didn't have anything else to use. So i want to reformat the hdd and install xp normally.

What we need to know is once the hdd is formated just what Operating System is it for, WIN98,ME,XP ect. ?

If you get by the 250 gig/48-bit LBA hurdle then I think the updated 98 fdisk or the ME fdisk will partition the drive as fat32. So you will need a bootdisk from one of those OS's. If you're looking to eventually install 2000 or XP you'll need to use their utilities to partition it as NTFS. That's why knowing your eventual plans makes a difference.

Once it's partitioned, the format command, also on the bootdisk, should work OK.

Or you can use the installation disk that comes with the drive (or download the utility from the manufacturer).

But the main thing is, does the bios or add-on ATA card correctly see the drive?

The updated 98 or ME bootdisk that I recommended should be able to remove the existing partiton(s). If that doesn't work there's an old dos program, delpart, that should work. It may take a google search to find it.

Then use the XP disk to set the drive up.

"I'm trying to install windows xp, but the isntall won't start properly and i think that's because i formatted and partitioned in the debian installation because i didn't have anything else to use. So i want to reformat the hdd and install xp normally."

Thank you. Read DAVEIN CAPS above. A "normal" installation of XP doesn't even envolve "DOS" as such, that is, separately, as in, an MS-DOS or Windows 98 boot disk. NORMALLY you start with the XP CD from a cold start, or if you cannot, go to MS and download the 5 or 6 startup floppies that match the version of XP that you have.

Actually, you CAN launch an XP install from "DOS" but that is NOT "normally normal."

Folks, you need to learn that "normally" you use the materials and media THAT CAME WITH whatever you are trying to install. That is, if yo are installing Windows 98, you use the media and materials from Windows 98. You DO NOT normally go around using some earlier version of DOS, or "freeDOS" or PCDOS, or Linux.

This is also true of XP. NORMALLY you do not need or want any '95, ''98, 'ME, or Linux stuff to try and install XP.

All XP cd's should boot from a "cold start" even upgrade cd's.

That was a sensible comment, better than responding with various scenarios which have nothing to do with the DISK OP. SYSTEM FORUM:

"Folks, you need to learn that "normally" you use the materials and media THAT CAME WITH whatever you are trying to install. That is, if yo are installing Windows 98, you use the media and materials from Windows 98. You DO NOT normally go around using some earlier version of DOS, or "freeDOS" or PCDOS, or Linux."

If he can't understand disk management or fdisk then no wonder he had trouble with debian.

1. I told you what i want to do. I want to reformat the hdd and install windows xp. What i want to do is use some kind of bootdisk (i've tried hierens, but it doesn't load up any of the programs it contains for some reason. It's something around when it's loading some .sys files) that allows me to reformat the whole hdd.

2. Like i said: THE WINDOWS XP INSTALLATION DOESN'T START UP CORRECTLY FOR ME. Try reading what i say before you start talking about how stupid i am...

3. I didn't get any kind of software with my cd. I didn't ask for support through windows. What i need to do is fix this problem without doing it from any os. It seemed to me that the DOS is the motherboard's own os, the one that loads your hdds and selects where to boot from and it seemed that bootdiscs usually have their own versions of DOSes with command prompts, so i figured that's what i should be after.

And finally, GX1 Man:
I didn't have trouble with Debian. In fact, Debian worked perfectly with me. And i KNOW about disk management, i just don't know of any good, working methods for doing this exact thing in the situation i'm in.(which i did describe, not in my first post, but i DID describe it.)
You want to know why i'm getting rid of Debian? Because i didn't want the hassle of making it work to install Windows XP with Debian already installed. You see, i'm aiming for a dual-boot computer here.
I don't, however, need any help here whatsoever about anything else than getting this disc reformatted.

I know i probably sound kinda rude now, but i'm tired and angry about some other things, and GX1 Man's comment didn't really help.

"I know i probably sound kinda rude now, but i'm tired and angry about some other things, and GX1 Man's comment didn't really help."

If you post in an inappropriate forum what do you expect, MS-DOS DOES NOT SUPPORT LBA48 Drives and XP has no Standalone MS-DOS only emulated DOS (NTVDM).

"It seemed to me that the DOS is the motherboard's own os"

How F****** stupid a standard AT/ATX motherboard has a non O/S dependent BIOS:

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/BIOS.html

Last but not least you have been given links, you will not take advice, please please post in the XP FORUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you even try a 98 (with the updated fdisk) or an ME bootdisk that I mentioned above? That's the ony way you might be able to do this in dos.

The install diskette(or cdrom for boxed drives) from the hard drive manufacturer should be your preferred choice to partition and format large drives including LBA 48-bit.You will get a choice of size and type you need for XP,FAT32 or NTFS.Visit the manufacturer's website to get the bootable diskette as a selfexecutable program.Good luck.

What i've been given in terms of links has been of no help doing this at all, so gee, thanks for the great support. Yeah, i'll make sure i avoid this part of computing.net, even if i'm actually doing something with the dos. It really doesn't seem like i'd want support from someone like you anyway, so have fun being an annoying idiot.
I've personally found my own solution to this now, so i luckily don't have to go here anymore.

It seems like you're doing this thing all backwards and can't understand why it's not working as you envision. I just don't think you know as much as you think you do, but good luck!

As near as I can tell you haven't tried any of the advice given here. If you have you certainly didn't mention it.

You've been given some good advice and several possible solutions. It's usually a good idea to try something before criticizing it.

And it seems like the only candidate for 'annoying idiot' is franki. Forgive him. He has some. . . issues he needs to work out.

Whatever! I gave this link in the first response:

http://www.48bitlba.com

He would of found this page which clearly states the LBA48 is not supported under MS-DOS based FDISK:

http://www.48bitlba.com/win98.htm

Therefore wanting or needing or requiring a MS-DOS Solution was not appropriate for this situation, especially considering XP was the final O/S.

Yes DiCk I have issues with this forum being swamped with inappropriate unrelated posts and people still responding when it is abundantly clear that it is not a Standalone DOS related issue.

This post is a prime example, the poster wants to install XP PERIOD.

Since the poster specifically asked for a method of setting up the drive in dos then I think this was the correct forum. The fact it's not practical to do so is irrelevent.

I'm not necessarily disputing your knowledge. I just get a good laugh when you go off for some silly reason. And it's so easy to set you off. I picture a cartoonish caricature of you sitting in front of your computer, all red-faced with rage and steam rising from your head. You do know you're headed for an ulcer, right?

DIC, you are so wide of the mark you probably could not hit an Elephant at twenty paces................

Ouch!! What a comeback! You really let me have it.

Good night. I'll let you have the last word.

just insert xp cd and choose to install xp on the 250gb drive. select the drive and press c to make a new raw (instead of fdisk) then quit the install without nstalling. boot up with your normal drive now you see the 250 GB drive with full capacity(232gb)