How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup

Home	Print	Back

IMPORTANT: If you follow these steps on a hard disk that is not empty, all of the data on that hard disk is permanently deleted.

Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive and then restart the computer.

NOTE: To start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM your computer must be configured to start from the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive (or the floppy disk drive). In some cases, you may have to modify your computer's BIOS settings to do this. For information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive (or the floppy disk drive), see the documentation that is included with your computer, or contact the computer manufacturer.

If you are starting the computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM, select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted (press any key).

NOTE: If your hard disk controller requires a third-party original equipment manufacturer (OEM) driver, press F6 to specify the driver. Most computers don’t require this step and it can be skipped.

At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER to continue.
Press F8 to accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement.
If an existing Windows XP installation is detected, you are prompted to repair it.
Press ESC (do not repair).

All existing partitions and unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard disk. Use the
arrow keys to select the C: partition and then press D to delete. If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this process for each of the existing partitions that you want to use for the new partition. When all the partitions are
deleted, you can then select the resulting unpartitioned space and then press C to create the
new partition.

If you want to install Windows XP, use the arrow keys to select the partition you want to install Windows XP on, and then press ENTER.

Select the format option that you want to use and then press ENTER. The options are:

     Format the partition by using the NTFS file system (Quick)
     Format the partition by using the FAT file system (Quick)
     Format the partition by using the NTFS file system
     Format the partition by using the FAT file system
     Leave the current file system intact (no changes)

Choose NTFS (Quick).

After you select this Windows XP will automatically start to install.

If you have problems or questions, please call CompOp at (414) 229-4606 for help.