Have a previously networked Dell computer (OS = Win XP) that will be donated as a stand alone unit. I wish to format the SATA HDD down to bootable only and install a clean OS for the new family. Existing OS is thawarting change. Looking for a simple program or proceedure, preferably free, to override the existing OS and format. Unable to get to DOS. Suggestions most welcome. Thank you in advance.
Unless you have a recovery disk, you will have to do a fresh install.. But If you have a sata hard drive, then you will need to find the drivers for your sata before you can do a install...Are you planing on installing XP again ?
Ghostman, Thanks for the initial direction. No recovery disk and I want to do a fresh install. It is a Hitachi SATA so drivers should not be a problem. Just hit a wall with the networked OS not allowing me to the DOS window to Format C: /S the drive. Wish to create a generic boot disk to access DOS - yes, I can reset the drive sequence order - and wipe the entire disk and start over with a retail copy of XP. Brain is empty like the middle two cylinders. Thanks in advance.
If you have a XP setup disk, then use it... But unless you have the sata drivers built on it, you might have some problems..
Thanks for the advise, Ghostman. Unfortunately, XP setup disk still did not work. Am going back to my old MS-DOS reference books to remember how to make a boot floppy to go directly through the shell to DOS. It has been too long since cassette loading. Appreciate the help. Sam.
