Can't fully format hard drive

When I try to reformat my hard drive to reinstall XP Home it stops at 80%. I then have to to a quick format to install XP. Is there a program that will help me. Thanks:cool

 

What computer? What hard drive?
You MUST tell us all about your computer before we can really help you.

How are you trying to format your drive? What program? or what technique?

Curious minds want to know!

 

Sorry!!
Athalon 1.73
80 gig HDD
1 Gig memory
XP Home
no service packs downloaded yet

 

That can be a serious problem.....because Service Packs are released for a good reason.

Every computer running Windows XP (anything) should also be using Service Pack 3.

Without a PC being up to date, all other bets are OFF.
MS won't even talk to you if your PC is NOT up to date.

 

Well I had trouble after I downloaded service pack 1 so I figured I would find out how to reformat the hard drive the right way then I would download the service packs I need too. Is it service pack 1 2 and 3?

 

Service pack 1 was so long ago, I don't even remember it. lol
Sort of like my first tricycle.

Most, or at least many, of us have long ago Slipstreamed our version of XP with SP2 or SP3.
I know I've had mine as Windows XP+Sp3 for a long time now.

From what I understand, having checked with my Software Guru, SP3 includes all changes up to SP3. So it shouldn't be necessary to install SP1 and then SP2 and then SP3.
If anyone knows differently, please let us know.

I remember the day that I installed SP3 on my own PC. I was fully up to date on everything and SP3 installed in about six minutes.
Most Service Packs install only what's missing from former upgrades.

Cheers Mates!
Shadow

 

Thanks I will download 3..

 

While I agree using the latest SP is good safe computing, getting the HD formatted first does not require the latest SP.

It might be easier to temporarily install that finicky HD as a secondary (not boot) drive in a second computer, then use that computer and OS to format (and run chkdsk /r on it too).