How can i do a full format... There is no way to get to the dos prompt in XP.. I am confused :(

Format what? Your primary HD? Is XP already installed? If not, it IS an option during the install. (Boot fom CD) If so, there is a command prompt in XP (like a dos prompt), called CMD from the "run..." menu.

what do you want to format? a floppy? open my computer have a floppy in your a: drive right click a: and choose format. if you want to format your hard drive and reinstall xp, if you used fat32 you can still use a 98 or me startup disk to format with, if your pc supports booting from the cd-rom winxp is bootable.and will format to whatever you choose fat16 fat32 or ntfs. if your cd-rom isn't bootable and you formatted using ntfs,you will have to download the xp bootdisk set,from ms. Home edition, paste this link: http://download.microsoft.com/download/WinXPHome/Install/310994/WIN98MeXP/EN-US/WinXP_EN_HOM_BF.EXE Pro edition, paste this link: http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/310994/WIN98MeXP/EN-US/WinXP_EN_PRO_BF.EXE links from Kurt; http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/5743.html

i have the same problem and i can't go back to win98. When i boot from win 98 startup disk i get the error that my hd is read only! I cant fdisk or format. When i boot from XP cd i can fdisk/format but then if i exit and boot from 98 cd it says that there is no partition and have fdisk (but get the same error) I use fat32 Any help?

H3: as you said. format winXP by using CMD from "RUN". but,there is something related with the volume or sth like that..and it stop you right there. Any other ways to create a start disk of winxp pro? i really want to format it!!!!!

other way is to go to your hard drive manufacturers site and get their low level formatter, it just write zeros to the hd, but wipes it clean, then fdisk with what os you want to use ,then format with what os you want, then install os of your choice.