I have purchased a computer off somebody but need some assistance with formatting the C drive so I can install an OS. When I turn on the computer and it starts to boot it goes to just a command.com file which allows access to the C: prompt, I need to delete this (through formatting) so I can install an OS. I thought I could just type in Format C: to start this but for some reason I'm told its an bad command. What am I doing wrong here?

Take a look here: http://www.buildeasypc.com/sw/hddsetup.htm M

Thankyou for that. I didn't need to use a floppy as I used my 98se disk to get to the fdisk. I was told the primary partition already existed but when I restarted, chose no support again and went to the A: prompt to enter format c:, I was told it was a bad command again. Do I need to download the FORMAT.COM file onto floppy and do it via that?

You might just as well download a W98SE bootdisk with CD-ROM support from www.bootdisk.com (or use a Startup Disk produced on W98). This will have format.com on it and other stuff too. Note that when you select "With CD ROM support" it will temporarily grab the lowest CD letter for its own use. Watch the screen, your CD is likely to either be the next highest letter or R. Derek.W

If you're booting from the cd then choose 'cdrom support'. Then at the a:\> prompt type: path=a:\;d:\win98 and enter. When booting from the cd a temporary ram drive is created at a: but it doesn't have the format command. That command is located in the win98 folder on the cd. Entering the above path command will have that folder searched whenever you type a command. Then type the format c: and enter. But as Derek suggests, it's always a good idea to have a bootdisk. It can give you access if the 98 cd isn't available or the cdrom is acting up.

If it only boots to the C:\ prompt, chances are the vendor has already performed the reformat. To check you could type 'dir' and see how many files are listed. You might also try 'ver' which will tell you which OS the dos prompt came from.