Computer is driving me nuts...

[Shaum]

For about a month now every time I start my computer I have to put in the winxp cd to load it which takes about 10 minutes. Seems like the only thing for me to do is reformat my drive. Couple questions since it's been a while since i've done this. If i'm installing winxp do I need win95 at first to load it? I have two hard drives one has my os and most of the programs I use the other just has stuff i've download. Can I fdisk the one with the OS and leave the other one? I guess thats about it.

 

[PsYcHoCoW]

you have to put in the winxp cd to boot?? that's weird. Check to see if your BIOS options are correct - remove boot from CD from the sequence and test it.

To reinstall winxp, all you need to do is boot from the CD and follow the procedure. There's an option in there to install on an existing partition and format it.

 

[GuileVsGuile]

You do not need win95 or any other pre-winxp version of windows in order to install XP unless you are installing the WinXP Upgrade Edition.
About formatting one hd and leaving the other....I don't see why not.

EDIT: first do as Psycho said though...check your BIOS boot settings cause your problem is pretty weird to begin with.

 

[Valkerie]

I don't like the upgrade versions of Windows XP, they're so pointless if your drive somehow gets erased and what are you left with, installing two operating systems after the other, so long for fresh installs unless you can work around this

try turning off BIOS shadowing

 

[Shaum]

When I tried to format C: it said

format cannot run because volume is in use by another process. Format may run if this voulume is dismounted first. All opened handles to this volume would then be invalid. Would you like to force a dismount on this volume?


What should I do?

 

[poisonthewell]

Originally posted by: Valkerie
I don't like the upgrade versions of Windows XP, they're so pointless if your drive somehow gets erased and what are you left with, installing two operating systems after the other, so long for fresh installs unless you can work around this

try turning off BIOS shadowing

It is possible to do a clean install with XP Upgrade. I did it yesterday in fact. When you put the cd in it will look for an OS on your hdd. If your hdd is blank (like mine) you will eventually be asked to place a previous cd of Windows the drive. You put it in, it verifies the disc, and prompts you to put the XP disc back in. Install continues.

Do you like XP Upgrade now?

 

[poisonthewell]

What version of windows are you using? If it's XP, you should be able to format the hdd that has your OS and reinstall using the install disc. It sounds like you are trying to fdisk after Windows loads from a command prompt, which (correct me if I'm wrong) is not possible because the hdd is in use.

 

[NaughtyGeek]

Why not do a repair? Boot to the cd when it gives you the option to install or repair, choose install. Hit F8 to agree to licence and when it asks where you want to install point it to where your current install lives. It will say a version is already there and ask you if you want to install to a different location, overwrite the current install, or repair. Choose repair and from there it is just like a normal install except when you're done all your programs are still there.