my "windows xp media center" computer did NOT come with a format disk!?

4 responses so far ↓

• 1 wyattbillyus // Aug 1, 2008

  if it came with the main win xp cd or dvd just put it in and restart the machine and follow the directions it gives you

• 2 billys_office // Aug 1, 2008

  you can use a windows 98 boot disk
  then fdisk
  its number 4 - non dos whatever
  or if you are desperate and have a lot of time you can create a bootable disk of killdisk

  killdisk.com

  you can get a windows 98 bootdisk at

  http://www.bootdisk.com

  most bootable xp discs allow you to format if you boot off the cd

• 3 hudey123 // Aug 1, 2008

  Sometimes the company puts the XP files on a separate partition on the disk and you can boot to the separate partition, format the actual Windows partition, and reinstall Windows without needing a CD.

  Go to Start > Programs > Administrative Tools > Computer Management. In the left column, click on Disk Management and you'll get a display that looks something like this:

  http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/files/md3-hpa.gif

  If there is a restore partition available then it's a matter of booting to the Restore partition rather than the already-installed XP Media Center partition. Then once booted into the Restore partition, it's a matter of telling it to reformat and reinstall the Windows partition.

  Look for prompts while the computer is booting that say "Press XX to enter utilities" or "Press XX to enter boot device selection menu" or something like that (where XX is usually something like F1 or F2.

  Without knowing what kind of computer it is or who made it, it's hard to be more specific for you.

  Good luck!

• 4 abdul // Aug 1, 2008

  You can use any bootable cd or dvd to format it.
  or if u want to format only other drives ( not C drive) then you can use "Norton Partition Magic" to format ur computer..

  Or u can use Killdisk, below is a link for this and its free

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