I am trying to format my C drive but XP doesnt let me cause it says that it is in use. I downloaded a win98 boot disk but when i turn the computer on with it inside, it gives me the NON-System disk, remove then press any key to continue type of message. and if i let windows load and then open the floppy it tells me to insert another disk to write, i put in a clean, new one and nothing happens. the problem with my comp is that whatever i try to do it gives me an illegal operation error. PLEASE help me. thank you Loz

Go here and read this... http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q316941 Iligitimi non carborundum est

To get a good bootable disk, go to www.bootdisk.com. Download the appropriate file. Run it to `create' the bootable floppy diskette.

Sorry, I forgot I was in the XP forum. If you want to reinstall XP, just boot from the XP install CD. It will format the drive if you select a new install.

Hey I would like you to check the Floppy Drive functionality. The better way, trust me make a boot CD if your pals have a working system in good health. All you need is a boot floppy and any burning software. Else boot CD ISOs are available on the internet. Else Windows XP installation does give you options of deleting and recreating partitions. In my opinion this is the easiest way out. Satya Need more help : satya_ramachandran@adp.com

I got the boot98se from bootdisk and it still doesnt recognize it as a bootable disk. should I try a CD???? I dont have a WindowsXP CD, I just want to format the HD, i will buy WinXP later, for now I just want to format. please help, thank you for the quick replies Loz

If all partitions on your hard drive are formatted NTFS you will get that error.Because a windows 98 bootdisk needs a fat32 partition. If all you want to do is format and erase the hard drive try Killdisk from here. Or even better get ntfs reader which has kill disk on it.