I want to erase my only harddisk and do a clean install of windows XP.XP Pro is on this drive now but I seem to have problems that in the past would be solved by format and reinstaltion of all programs.

Hello: I'm not sure what problem you are having as you question does not make it clear. To format the drive, go to the command prompt and type FORMAT C:, then press enter. Easiest way to the command prompt is: Start>Run>CMD then press enter. Once you have formatted the drive you can do a clean install of XP (as long as it is the full and not upgrage version.) Happy Holidays!

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600] (C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp. C:\Documents and Settings\Robert Zablinis>C: C:\Documents and Settings\Robert Zablinis>C:/ 'C:/' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. C:\Documents and Settings\Robert Zablinis>C: C:\Documents and Settings\Robert Zablinis>format C Invalid drive specification. C:\Documents and Settings\Robert Zablinis>Format C: The type of the file system is NTFS. WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST! Proceed with Format (Y/N)? y Verifying 38154M Format cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Format may run if this volume is dismounted first. ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

One correction to the post by Dr Oneill who said, "Once you have formatted the drive you can do a clean install of XP (as long as it is the full and not upgrage version.)". You CAN perform a clean install of XP with the Upgrade Version as long as you are allowed to upgrade from the previous OS and you have the original disks. XP will prompt you to insert the original disk from the previous OS to verify "ownership", then will proceed with the install. Good Luck!

XP doesn't allow to format system C: partirion. So you have to use delpart.exe which will delete NTFS partition. After that use regular Win 98 or ME bootable flopy and create partitions with FDISK and you ready to install XT.