Clearing and Reformatting a Hard Drive
pca_Deis M Brock - 6 October 2008 - 7:41pm
I need to completely remove all partitions from my main Hard Drive and re-format the disk (NTFS). HD has 3 hidden partitions as well as a C: Partition. I will then re-install Windows XP. At the moment the HD has a bad Virus on board, it is impossible to boot into Windows XP and any form of recovery by Booting from the Windows CD is impossible. However the PC is running OK and it is possible to Boot from a Floppy or a non Windows CD. Please can anyone assist by suggesting either a method or a particular piece of Software.
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download and run the
pops - 7 October 2008 - 7:59amdownload and run the ultimate boot cd. http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
You can remove partitions, format and check for viruses from the disk. It will run from start up if the machine is set to run from cdrom as first boot.
Have you tried booting from
Isitme - 7 October 2008 - 1:53pmHave you tried booting from the XP cd and running Setup. This should allow you to delete all the partitions, format and start again.
If you want to save anything from your disk, boot from a Live Linux disk and move what you want to another hard drive or a USB drive. Be careful what you move, don't move anything that may harbour a virus.
TomD
Cleaning & Reformatting a Hard Drive
Badger - 10 October 2008 - 6:51pmMany thanks for your advice to use the Ultimate Boot Disk. A very useful but a dangerous piece of Kit in the wrong hands. I have used it and have now been able to completely restore Win XP. I also downloaded and used the ISO Boot Disk Burner refered to in the article. I believe this was the only way of recovery and thanks again.
Deis
Deis it can be a
pops - 11 October 2008 - 10:11amDeis
it can be a dangerous bit of kit in the wrong hands :-)
Well done in sorting out the problem.