How do I format my HDD

[robert'o]

Hi All
I was having trouble starting my submarine game so I tried to re-install the XP Pro SP2 prog again, near the end of installation the message " Cannot copy file clbcatq.dl_. ensure the disc labeled Windows xp pro sp2 is in the drive, appeared " (it was) as I thought that this was probably something to do with SP2 so for this file and all subsquent files with the same message I clicked on proceed, now my taskbar and All Programs list are missing & I can't get the resolution correct, so I need to format my HDD & do a complete clean re-install of my XP Pro SP2 Disc.
I have saved all the files that a want to keep to my slave drive and some progs to a usb memory stick drive.
The instructions I have for Fdisc-ing are for ME and don't seem to work, and I have read some where that Fdisc only works on FAT 32 and my PC is NTFS, as there is a facility in XP to change from FAT32 to NTFS which I used.
Can anybody explain how I should go about formating my HDD, Best regards Robert.

[snowmonkey]

You don't need third party software to format the drive....Windows XP Installation gives you a chance to format the drive to NTFS during installation and that is good enough as far as formatting goes.

In regards to missing file or can't copy a file during install......there are few scenarios

-If you are installing via a copied CD...make sure it's written with low speed.
-Make sure you CD is not scratched or dirty.
-small amount or physical memory sometimes could cause this error.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[Disk_Contented]

Dos format and partition creation is better IMHO, but as stated, XP can do it, if a bit messy.

There are a multitude of reasons why the file won't copy. The above, as stated by snowmonkey.
XP installer may not like a piece of your hardware.... Two hard drives of the exact same model, yet XP shows the "can't copy" error with only one of them. That sort of unexplained thing.

The CD isn't read properly, though I have found the installers fusiness to be the real problem rather than the CD or drive. SP2 is incredibly pedantic.

A bios setting... See if you can disable DMA in the hard drive settings until the first part of the install is done. Or disable memory speed up options etc.

[robert'o]

Hi Guys
Thanks for your input, ( The disc is not a copy but it is an OEM product, and as such M'soft say that no help is available) From safe mode I have set to boost from the XP disc and after selecting[R] for repair I get a screen with, 1:C:\Windows. which windows installation would you like to log onto? <to cancel press ENTER>
There is a small white square and only provision to enter 1 digit and whatever I press nothing happens, (invalid input) Ive been through the keyboard.
On another tack I tried to repair and got as far as re entering the disc product key and the program reinstalled but did not repair, and the Taskbar and All Programs list were still missing.
I have tried Command Prompt but when I entered Fdisc, I got invalid entry.
Im not sure of what you mean by disable DMA or mem speed up? but I will keep at it till something cracks!!!
Regards Robert.

[Disk_Contented]

Bios settings:
http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/01/...s_from_a_to_z/