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    Formatting the HDD?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Romanian, Jul 24, 2007.

  1. Romanian

    Romanian Notebook Evangelist

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    Hey all,

    I have this laptop at my workplace, and basically, the install got screwed and I need to format it. I would normally do this by actually logging into XP, but it asks me for password (anyone know the default password for XP Pro administrator?).

    So, is there any way I can boot in DOS and give the command "format C:"?

    Or is there any other way to format the HDD if I'm locked out of the OS? It's an IBM Thinkpad.


    Thanks in advance.
     
    Romanian, Jul 24, 2007
    #1
  2. SideSwipe

    SideSwipe Notebook Virtuoso

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    um logging into XP and formatting the OS that u are logged into and running? this doesnt work on XP, you can't format OS drive when using the OS itself.

    use the XP recovery console or XP CD itself.
     
    SideSwipe, Jul 24, 2007
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  3. INCSlayer

    INCSlayer Notebook Consultant

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    well you could burn a live cd of gparted and format it from there
     
    INCSlayer, Jul 24, 2007
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  4. allan_huang

    allan_huang Notebook Deity

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    If you still want to know the password to the Administrator account, download OphCrack from another computer, burn it, run it on the laptop
     
    allan_huang, Jul 24, 2007
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  5. soledadaztec18

    soledadaztec18 Notebook Consultant

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    get the system to run in safe mode and then just log into the system admin account and you can remove any passwords on any accounts..
     
    soledadaztec18, Jul 24, 2007
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  6. Romanian

    Romanian Notebook Evangelist

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    How do I get it to run into safe mode? F2 just screws up the keyboard, F1 takes me to BIOS settings, and F12 takes me to boot menu (CD, Floppy, Hard Drive, etc). And it's XP Pro IT. Not sure if that makes any difference or not.
     
    Romanian, Jul 25, 2007
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  7. chatte

    chatte Notebook Consultant

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    Just get the PartitionMagic, install it, run, then set the tasks whatever you want - i.e. format the drive, partition it, etc. Your account must be administrator-type (i.e. not a user). Then you will press 'apply changes', PM will reboot the computer and will do everything else by itself. You will have it all clean.

    Edit: or another option is to get the boot cd such as this one, put it in the cd drive, turn the pc off and boot it from the cd. There you will have all the options - among them to format the hard drive.
     
    chatte, Jul 25, 2007
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  8. Tobi1982

    Tobi1982 Notebook Consultant

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    Have yout tried just typing in nothing instead of the password?
    Had to repair an XP installation once, it also asked for a password, but just striking the 'enter' key was fine and it went on.
     
    Tobi1982, Jul 25, 2007
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  9. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    If you want to reinstall XP, just pop the install disk in the drive and boot from the CD. There's no reason to format the drive before you install the OS (you can do a quick or full format during the install process).
     
    kegobeer, Jul 25, 2007
    #9