I am trying to format my c drive. After I insert my boot disk and reach the a:\ prompt I typed format c: but I get an error message saying the program cannot be run in DOS mode. Can anyone offer some help please?!?!? I am using XP by the way.

try using the win 98/ME start-up disk

Hi, I am not a mind reader and I regret sounding like a parent but you are very lucky that you were not successful in formating c:\. Let me suggest that formatting c:\ is like playing Russian Roulette. You only have a one in six chance of things going wrong but that one is a killer. :-( You really don't want to format c:\, you are trying to solve a problem. And it may fix it but even if it goes well, there are less drastic steps to resolve a problem that pose a whole lot less grief. If it were me, I would post a new message explaining what my problem is and ask for suggestions on how to resolve it. Did you see my words - DO NOT FORMAT. :-) Good Luck

Hi I have to take issue with post #2.. Formatting a HDD is an essential process in installing/re-installing an operating system. And I think its a very patronising thing to say - "..lucky that you were not successful in formating c:\. Let me suggest that formatting c:\ is like playing Russian Roulette. You only have a one in six chance of things going wrong but that one is a killer. :-( " I am not really sure where Emmett got the 1 in 6 chance of things going wrong.. (made me laugh anyway). Fact is their is a 100% chance that you will lose all data on the HDD. Ultimately thats the whole point of formating it. ferdy-

Ferdy, My comments were patronizing in the sense of providing support not in being condescending. If it reads that way I apologize for not chosing my words better. One of the things that happens one in six times is that in formatting c:\ an E-mail store containing an irreplaceable message inadvertently gets sent to that great bit bucket in the sky never to read again. That it is gone is not realized until it's too late. As I wrote, I am not a mind reader. In XP, good form would be to used the install CD for any formatting if ever needed. And I still stand by my statement that there is a less drastic means of resolving whatever is going on than using a win 98/me boot disk. You are welcome to offer a better solution. Ta, mate!