Possible to reformat hard drive (XP Pro) without CD?

Fizman

A client of ours is having a few problems with their system and is looking to reformatting the hard drive. They don't seem to have an OS CD so I'm wondering if I can get them started using another method while being logged in remotely?

I'm used to doing it the old fashioned way of reformatting through the BIOS/CD. The OS is XP Pro.

humaxf1

While logged into Windows, you are unable to format the hard drive.

The hard drive may have a recovery partition which will allow you to set the OS back to factory settings, i.e, when you took it out of the box. It will ask you the usual questions like name, location etc etc.

What you end up with is a stable OS free of virus, spyware, malware. Just remember to install latest service packs and updates from Microsoft.

**** Most important****

Before you do anything... backup music, photos, MS Office docs, email, accountancy/payroll data etc etc etc. Ensure you have discs/product keys/serial keys for MS office, accountancy packages etc.

********************

Performing a factory restore OS will DELETE all files on the hard drive!!!

Fysh

What does the client expect to do after wiping their existing partition, if they've got no installation media with which to proceed?