Re: Format Hard Drive

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"skylux" wrote:


1)The pc is Dell Dimension 8400 series.
2) This is the original hdd. WesternDigital 250gb SATA, as supplied with the
pc.
3) At one time I used a Samsung hdd and removed the WesternDigital hdd,
it worked ok.
4) I reformatted the NTFS partition of the WesternDigital hdd on a different
pc by just "hooking" it on the sata port on the motherboard and connectiog
the molex cable for power. This is when I discovered the Fat32 partition and
NTFS partition on the hdd, so I got confused if it was remnanets of the
virus, corrupted hdd etc.
5) I have the Dell XP reinstallation CD.
6) I tried the methods A and C both gives the same error message. The method
B by pressing CTRL and F11 on boot gives the msg. Cannot Restore.
7) I am at the moment running diagnostics on the hdd - ie. cannot boot the
OS - which is showing all OK.
8) I am trying to run other diagnostics from the Dell diagnostics CD ie.
test hdd etc. which gives tests results as all OK.
9) Is it possible to wipe clean the whole hdd and just install winxp?

Yes, it is if you have a genuine unbranded Microsoft OEM installation CD. Go
to Dell's website and download the SATA drivers and copy them to a floppy
disk. Set the computer to boot from the CD and put in the Microsoft disk. As
the install routine starts, press F6 to install the SATA driver from the
floppy. If you don't have a floppy drive, you can use an external floppy
drive connected to USB. When you get to the install menu select "setup
Windows XP" or words to the effect. Delete the partitions, then create a new
partition, then format the partition. Install on the freshly formatted
partition. When you get to the point where you are asked to enter the product
key, use the key that is already on the back of the computer, it should take
that PK. Save the PK that came with the disk for another computer.

sm






"Daave" wrote:

Daave wrote:
skylux wrote:
is there a simple answer to why the win XP will not re-intall as the
BIOS recognizes the hdd and i have not deleted the fat32 partition, i
just reformatted the NTFS partition. i have all the disks from dell -
the winxp, diagnostic disk etc. the manual says exactly what i did.
on bootup, press f12, insert winxp, choose boot from cd-drive and
follow the instructions. dell offers three restores 1) manual restore
2) PC restore 3) system restore.

why does the winxp not recognize the hdd, as its installed an
working.

Sounds like there might be an issue with SATA drive drivers. We need
more info:

1. Model and model number of this Dell.

2. Does it still have its original hard drive, or did you replace it
at one time? What kind of hard drive is currently in the PC?

3. The method they provided you to restore it to its original
fresh-from-the factory condition:

a) Dell XP Reinstallation CD
b) a Dell recovery or restore CD, or
c) a hidden restore partition on the hard drive

When you mention "the winxp," it sounds like it's method A, but when
you mention that three restores are offered, it sounds like B or C.
In case you missed my other post, it would also be helpful to know
about all the partitions currently on your hard drive, what they are
used for, and how large they are.

Also, have you seen this page about Dell's "PC Restore"?:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?journalid=6763B3CDC5A82B15E040AE0AB5E1250F&docid=336966

(watch the wrap)

That will be the easiest method, and you won't have to worry about any
driver issues.



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