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Formatting a new harddrive

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Name: nataku954
Date: August 17, 2004 at 09:43:10 Pacific
OS: XP
CPU/Ram: p4 2.8ghz/ 512 RAM
Comment:

I am getting ready to install XP on my first build and i was told by someone that i should format my new harddrive first. I know how to format a drive in windows, but how do i do it without having an operating system on the computer? Or should i even be formatting it at all?



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Response Number 1
Name: johnr
Date: August 17, 2004 at 09:45:34 Pacific
Reply:

As long as your system can boot from the CDROm and your hard drive is recognised at boot-up then just put the XP disk in and let it partition/format for you.

"I know that I'm mad - I've always been mad..."


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Response Number 2
Name: strbux4me2
Date: August 17, 2004 at 09:46:02 Pacific
Reply:

at the least, you'll need to partition the hard drive first. If you have access to a Win98 machine, you can create a Startup disk that will allow you to partition and format the hard drive. Pre-formatting is not required to set up XP, but a partition is.


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Response Number 3
Name: johnr
Date: August 17, 2004 at 09:50:53 Pacific
Reply:

XP Pro can do the partitioning for you - I assume 'home' can as well. Just set the boot order, put the disk in & follow the prompts.

"I know that I'm mad - I've always been mad..."


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Response Number 4
Name: ham30
Date: August 17, 2004 at 10:10:17 Pacific
Reply:

Yes the XP Home install program will also partition and format the drive.


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Response Number 5
Name: nataku954
Date: August 17, 2004 at 16:38:33 Pacific
Reply:

Thanks, so when i get my XP home disk does it have the option to format first or does it just do it automatically or what. Sorry ive never installed an operating system before.


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Hard drive failure!!!!!!!... What RAM should I buy?



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