Re: Low level re-format and partionning of a disk drive under Wind

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Xandros,

I want to delete any existing partitions, make a new one, and then format
the disk (low level or whatever you want to call it) and then install the OS.

I got the disk you indicated and created a boot CD that I think will do the
trick.

Once that is done, I will try to use my own licensed version of Windows XP
to do its thing, whatever it may be.

Thank you.

Jean-Pierre


"Xandros" wrote:

Whatever. My advice is sound. Take it or leave it. There is essentially no
advantage to doing a low level format on a modern drive. If all you want to
do is a reformat then use the tool I sent the link to but be aware that a
low level format is a much different thing than a simple format.
--

Xandros


"dareys" <dareys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:3BA15068-8089-4087-8061-F5DE1A407761@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Xandros,

I have been performing this kind of activity, on and off, since the early
eighties, and frankly, I don't know everything, but I think I know what it
is
to partition, format and re-install AN OS.

Anyway, I want a clean slate, and I want to configure things the way I
want.
Sorry about that, but hey, everyone knows what they like, and in my book,
a
reformat is a reformat, no matter what thinks are like these days.

Remember, once a programmer, always a programmer.

In any case, I thank you for the information. I hope it helps.

Regards,

Jean-Pierre




"Xandros" wrote:

Have you downloaded the most current drivers for your sound card? That
has
got to be a lot safer than flashing the BIOS - which will not help the
issue
you are seeing and reinstalling the OS - which will not help the problem
you
are seeing. Following that try another sound card.

If you've already run diagnostics then there should be no reason to do a
low-level format. Perhaps you don't really know what a low-level format
is?
Modern hard drives do not require low-level formatting. You can do it but
essentially it would be a waste of time. Doing so will require a tool
from
your hard drive manufacturer

If you feel you must reinstall your OS again then why not do a clean
install
by deleting your existing partitions, reformat and do a fresh install.

You say you don't have a retail version of XP so you don't have the
Recovery
Console but you should still be able to wipe the drive using this
bootable
CD that contains the XP Recovery Console
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/tools/bootdiscs/xp_rec_con.zip All
you
have to do is boot the CD, access the Recovery Console, type DISKPART at
the
command prompt, delete the partition, type EXIT when it is finished,
remove
the CD and pop in your image restore CD then hit the Enter key.
--

Xandros


"dareys" <dareys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1A3FC83C-8DDA-4280-93E0-4A930CAE081D@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bruce,

Thank you for the response.

I have re-installed the OS several times, but it has not been a "fresh"
install, including a reformat. Rather, like Daave suggests, it has been
a
repair install, without a reformat.

The suspect behaviour, among other things, boils down to this. In spite
of
complete hardware diagnostics which have come clean, the sound drivers
periodically disappear. The speakers, headset etc are ok. Just the
drivers
get "corrupted".

I have re-installed them half a dozen times, only to see them
disappear...

At this point I want a fresh copy of BIOS, and a fresh version of the
OS
and
drivers for my specific hardware just to see if that works. When I have
done
that, if the same behaviour persists, then I will have to assume the
problem
is with the sound card.

BTW, I have configured the BIOS to boot from CD, but the CDs that I
have
are
image CDs not Windows XP install disks.

Regards,

Jean-Pierre


"Bruce Chambers" wrote:

dareys wrote:
Greetings,

I have been experiencing a number of problems with Windows XP Home
Edition
(SP2) on my machine.

At this point, I have re-installed the operating system half a dozen
times
with the same suspect behaviour, in spite of getting new install
disks
from
the hardware vendor.



Then it's probably time to look for the real cause of this
unidentified
"suspect behavior," wouldn't you say? If repeated installations of
the
OS aren't addressing your issues, then it's clear that there is
something else wrong; most likely defective hardware.

Why not describe the specifics of this "suspect behavior" so we can
get
to the root cause of your problems?


So, now I am considering a low level format of the machine, but I am
having
a very hard time locating a boot disk containing the format or fdisk
commands. Can anyone point me to where I could find these files, on
this
site, hopefully?



FDisk is an old MS-DOS utility that is neither available or
needed
in WinXP. All legitimate WinXP installation CDs are bootable and have
the capability of deleting, creating, and formatting partitions.

Simply boot from the WinXP installation CD. You'll be offered
the
opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot
devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand
Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot








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