[edcos]

Hello. I am trying to format the hard drive on my Sony Vaio and have succeeded in doing so through the command prompt for a partitioned "D" drive, but cannot escape Windows (XP Prof.) in order to do so to the C: drive. I am fully backed up, so data loss is not and issue, and I have come by all my software honestly, too. Just want to clear the decks for a reinstall. Any thoughts? Many thanks.

Ed

[Elvandil]

Formatting and partitioning are part of the setup installation routine for all modern operating systems (Windows, Linux, Solaris, etc.).

[edcos]

Thanks Elavil for your prompt reply. Maybe I didn't explain well. After the crash I partly succeeded in reinstalling XP. But, no Internet, hence, no updated rivers, applications, etc.
Sony no longer makes a Recovery Disk for this model (PCG-TR3A), so I thought the best thing might be to get a fresh start by formatting the disk. I succeeded with partition "D:" through the command prompt, but when I tried to partition drive "C:" I got a message asking if I would like to "force a dismount" I hit "Y" but was told that the drive was still in use could not be locked. The only thing installed (except the Bios) is Win XP Professional.
So, I don't know where to go from here format drive "C:"

[Elvandil]

There is still no need to format C:. Just start the installation of the OS you want on C: and formatting will be part of the process.

Just insert the CD and start the setup. Everything can be erased from the drive during that and you can even repartition.