I have xp professional installed. all i want to do is format it, i put a win98 bootup disk in, and then once i am at the command prompt, i set it to c: i then type format c: (what i'd usually do), but for some reason it then says: "format not supported on drive c: , format terminated" can anyone help me, please

Hi Pete, maybe your problem is casued by the fact that you have installed WinXp pro with an NTFS partition and because of that win98 is unable to format the HD. In fact win98 doesn't support the NT file system. I would like to try formatting your HD using a Win2k cd-rom or better a WinXp cd-rom. I hope that my suggestion can help you!! If possible i would like to know if it works! Thankx and good luck!

Theres two common reasons why this can happen. 1. Your drive is ntfs formatted. If thats the case run fdisk and select "Delete non dos partition." 2. Your using a WinMe boot disk and not a Win98 bootdisk. If thats the case goto http://freepctech.com/pc/002/files010.shtml and get a Win98 bootdisk. Hope this helps, Sandman

Sandman... I have seen a number of your posts and all with sound advice however I use an Me bootdisk exclusively to format with no problem whatsoever!

Hmmm... I guess I'll have to retry it then. The one time I used a WinMe bootdisk it would not format. I got the same message as Pete. If the drive is ntfs the bootdisk (98 or Me) shouldn't see the disk and you should get a "invalid drive specification" error message when you try to run format c:. Just a thought Xpose have you replaced any of the files on the Me bootdisk with files from a Win98 disk? I've posted a similar answer before and it was that persons problem. I'm going to retry it shortly and I'll post back. Sandman

Try DrDevice's Windows9x Page http://www.drd.dyndns.org/index2.htm Go to the boot disk section, scroll down to find Windows XP setup disk, and download the image. It creates a boot disk on just one floppy, not the usual 5 apparently.

Ok now I'm confused LOL. I tryed it and it does work. I think the reason why it didn't work before is I probably tryed using /s switch which the Me disk won't let you do. You wouldn't want to use the /s switch for Xp anyways, if you do you end up with a dual boot system. The only thing that bothers me is that this suggestion has worked for someone before. Thanks for correcting me Xpose. Sandman