help reformating hd and reinstall win xp

My windows xp has been corrupted. I need to reformat my hd and reinstall win xp. Can anyone tell me how to do this. Note-anything I try to do I get a message on what program do you need to open this-ie. If I try to open settings it asks me what program to I want to open this with. So I need something info. that will include what program will open the file to reformat my hd and allow me to instal win. xp.

 

You can't reformat the OS drive from within Windows. Just boot the installation disc and you will have the option to reformat the drive for a clean install.

 

if you can, check this site, and try to run the file provided under EXE file association fix.
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

 

Thanks SG that seems to have worked.