OK, my PC has been under construction or I might say a thorough cleaning. I need some help.
To reformat, I seem to be having a problem. Yes, I can load my XP Pro install disc in, it will run and reinstall the OS but it keeps all my files and I have told it to "overwrite" the existing files.
I am now realizing that I am not doing a FULL reformat, even though it seems I am.

Here is something I noticed. When I do windows XP install, it backs up some files and I can not delete my C drive to format because it says it is being used. Obviously that is because it has put the files I no longer want anymore on there to reinstall when XP is reinstalled.
Then I read that to do a FULL REFORMAT, I need to BOOT from the CD. I think this is where my problem is. It is not booting from the CD, it starts up and for me to do anything with the XP install, I need to click on the drive and open the CD, thus, not allowing a full reformat when the PC boots from the disc.
Does this make sense?
I think I need to go into my BIOS and change something so my PC will boot from the disc, thus allowing a full reformat.

Any ideas here or I have I figured out why I was not able to do a full reformat.

Thanks,

Dave

With respect to Rob, you don't need the recovery console at all.

The Partitioning and formatting options appear in due course after booting from the WinXP CD, just keep a careful eye out for them.

This method, (booting from winXP CD and standard setup), just makes it all too easy.

I recommend creating a second partition, so that next time, you just move any data you want to keep onto the second partition before you format. There are other important advantages to having more than just a single large hard disk partition.

The single partition will have to be deleted first to do this, and yes, it's there in the standard setup options, then create any new partitions.

Next, (you don't have to change the partitions!) the option arrives to format the first partition (C: drive) and then setup commences immediately after the format is complete.

Any other partitions can be formatted from within windows after the installation of WinXP is finalised.

These hard disk utils in WinXP setup are easy to miss, but once you see them, you'll wonder why you never saw them before.

It takes all the mystery out though...........  

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Yes, I believe so, Dave. My method is probably slightly simpler and less complicated than Congo's method (no disrespect or offence intended, mate).

Rob.

I would do similar.  Just set BIOS to boot off of the CD.  When it does half way through you get to the partitions bit.  Just delete all your partitions that will kill it all.

Then create a new one and install XP on it.

I usually go through a different procedure....I still have all my old operating system disks....from Win 98, I used a boot disk to use a DOS program called FDisk....I use it to set all my partitions and clear the HD for new info....once the partitions are set, I can format each drive, and install the new operating system (WinXP)..........
Fresh Windows and new system, effectively........

Just tryin to keep it simple!