Formatting C: using XP

Just want to know how you guys format your drive with XP?

Do you just install the XP CD and use that? Because when i tried that, the files and folders were still in "Program Files" folder. And I chose to erase all C: when formatting, but when i reinstalled XP again, all the files were still there?

I tried going to Recovery Console and typing: format C: /fs:ntfs .. which removed everything. But i just want to know if the XP CD will do that too?

 

Using the XP install CD when it comes to the point where it asks where you want to install, if it finds NO partitions it will ask you what size one to create. If it finds a partition or partitions, it will ask if you want to use one of the existing ones. At that same spot there will also be an option to allow you to delete a partiton. If you do so, it will then ask you what size to make the new partiton it will then install to.

Gary

 

Yeah, I did that before. I deleted the one partition which was C:/, and chose to create a new partition. When I did that and got XP working, the files from the previous Partition were still there. It did not remove it, it just removed the actual programs.

 

I'm pretty sure that's a way to force erase the drive/partition. I'm not sure about the format command option for that, maybe google is our best friend in this situation.

 

Huh? When you deleted the partition and then created a new one, it asked about formating it right? Did you do the quick format? That MIGHT explain this, but honestly I am not sure how wiping out the partition and creating a new one would EVER leave ANY files from the original partition. This sounds odd. Like I said, if you did do the quick format I can see where it MIGHT do this. You might want to do a Google search about that.
Gary

 

That is very strange (especially if you deleted and recreated the partition). BTW even with a fresh install of XP there is a Program Files directory and several Microsoft default programs and folders inside it, like Common Files, Internet Explorer, Messenger, Outlook Express, Windows Media Player etc. by any chance are you referring to those ?

 

Nah i wasnt referring to those, i meant the other programs i installed previously. Thanks for your help guys, I think previously I used (Quick Format) thats why it left some files. But i reformatted again and its all clean.

 

Truly odd. I would have expected even a Quick format SHOULD have deleted everything.

Gary