How do I format a FAT32 in Windows XP

[bharat_r]

I have a 80GB HDD which has 3 partitions 30GB,30GB,20GB

I had trouble with my system so I decided to format it.
I tried many things but I couldn't format my C drive

So I installed Windows XP on D: & thought I could format the C: deive from this installation.
I couldn't.
Next
I installed Recovery Console & tried to format C: from there.But it didn't format.

How do I format my C: drive where Windows is installed.
I'm currently on Windows XP installed on D:

I don't want to delete any partitions as D: & E: contain GB's of data which I can't loose.
How can I format C: alone & after installing windows XP to it,uninstall XP from D: without disturbing other files.

 

[ymhatre]

I have a 80GB HDD which has 3 partitions 30GB,30GB,20GB

I had trouble with my system so I decided to format it.
I tried many things but I couldn't format my C drive

So I installed Windows XP on D: & thought I could format the C: deive from this installation.
I couldn't.
Next
I installed Recovery Console & tried to format C: from there.But it didn't format.

How do I format my C: drive where Windows is installed.
I'm currently on Windows XP installed on D:

I don't want to delete any partitions as D: & E: contain GB's of data which I can't loose.
How can I format C: alone & after installing windows XP to it,uninstall XP from D: without disturbing other files.

though ur winxp is installed on d : but booting files are loaded in C: by default
I guess you had installed Xp frm 98.
So now if u format ur c: ur WinXp will also be affected and it wont start.
Anyways if u still want to format ur C: then make a bootable floppy including format.exe in it
then boot tht and format c:
remember ur xp wont work after tht

 

[bharat_r]

Yes I upgraded to XP from 98 a year back.
Bu I don't have the Windows 98 backup files.

I do I create a boot floppy with format.exe

I tried creating aboot floppy by right clicking A: -> format -> Create MS-Dos startup disk.But it dosen't have format.exe
where would it be?

 

[ymhatre]

this might help u
*www.pcxt-micro.com/bootdisk.html
remember selecting copy system files is necessary

 

[ymhatre]

*www.onecomputerguy.com/install/floppies.htm
even frm here u can get win98bootable image
tht includes all additional files
Good luck

 

[phatratt]

hey dude u forgot one thing,even though u have installed win xp in d: several files like NTLDR,pagefile.sys,config.sys.boot.ini(all hidden) are INSTALLED in the c: so whenever u format C: all vital files meant for booting is lost and hence u can't boot into winxp.

 

[bharat_r]

I'll reinstall XP using the boot CD to the formated drive.

ymhatre the links u gave r for Win 98 boot disks.

 

[ymhatre]

I posted tht bcoz u refered to FAT32 not NTFS
so i thought tht will be easier and trust me it is rather easier