Trying to reformat. but cant.. I am right-clicking on c-drive, and click format. A window comes up saying it cant be done.. See pic below.. What do i do to fix this?http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/114252.jpgany suggestions?

You can't format the drive when its in use by Windows...That's common sense. You can only format the drive when in the set up stages of XP.

ok, so how do i reformat?

How do you reformat?Insert your Windows XP CD and click on Uninstall/ReInstall Windows XP. You will be given an option to reformat somewhere in the process. It's the only way possible. If you need further info/assistance, recommend you check out the Help and Support section under your Start button. I hope you realize what you are doing... You'll have to reinstall every piece of software on your system as those programs will be useless after the reinstall.Jim

yes, well aware... Also aware of the fact that it is about the only way to rid my pc of this un-discovered virus.

Hmmm... dont see the uninstall.. If i click on install, it wont let me because i am running a newer version of windows than what is on the disk.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/114255.jpg

If you've installed SP2, you need to uninstall it before you can anything else...

and.... how would i go about doing that? My oh my do i feel stupid.. :-lol

and.... how would i go about doing that?Start -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs. Look for Windows XP Service Pack 2 and uninstall...

ahhhhh.. so it is in the add/remmove window...didnt think they would of put it in there.. i know you guys are curious about what kind of idiots we have at avsim.. and im shure im at the top of every1's list right now.

It looks like from that screenshot you're inserting the CD and trying to reinstall while Windows is running. I've never done that, not sure what will happen.The XP install CD is bootable. Assuming your motherboard BIOS can boot from a CD, which is pretty standard now, try booting from the CD and installing Windows from scratch. It shouldn't care if you have SP2 installed or not.Bozo #666

So i should boot from the CD? I tryed that and after a few hits of the keys, i get a big blue screen with some error. Exactly what should i do to re-install windows? Boot from cd, and run repair wizzard? or run a fresh new version of MS.I have never installed an OS, so im new to this part.

I recently did that for customer. You can re-install Windows XP from inside windows (like the photo is showing), but It will then take you into DOS mode. Just be on the lookout when you're in there to delete the partition and then create a new partition and then format that new partition. Otherwise, I think you will add a 2nd copy of Windows XP on the same partition which is not a good thing. Look for this option at the bottom of the setup screen, it doesn't shout out at ya like I think it should.

Make sure in BIOS you set first boot device to cd-rom. Then when you boot and have the windows CD in place your computer will tell you "press a key" to boot from cd rom. If you have already done that and got a bluescreen well I don

i guess the only thing i can really do is take it in to altex. They have fixed this problem before. They loaded norton and told me i wont have this problem again. Which now i do. I wonder if i could get out for free and not pay another 60$s a hour for labor.