having a problem reformatting hard disk

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage (More info?)

Sophia, you cannot format within Windows. On next Startup tap Delete or
F2 Button repeatedly until you get into the
Bios. While there select the Cdrom as first boot device. Select Save New
Settings and Exit. With the XP CD in the cd
drive it should boot from it. You can now do a Clean Install of XP and
format your drive. For more Info look here
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_install_-_graphic.h...

If your WinXP CD is an Upgrade Version then you will need the OS CD (
Win98, Me ) that you upgraded from.
If it's a full Retail or OEM Version then that will not be necessary.
"Sophia" <Sophia@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:86A3E95C-F305-4ED2-9858-ABE9326F6ED9@microsoft.com...
> Hey everyone,
> I'm having a problem reformatting my hard disk. 40gb. When i right click
> it
> tells me to close all the programes using it. i close whatever i can and
> it
> won't format. When i put in the windows xp Home cd and start up the pc it
> won't boot from the cd. It doesn't even say press any button to boot from
> the
> cd. I am really at a lost. Can anyone help me out? THanks