I have a XP Home system that I want to re-format. The problem I have is that I can't access any part of the windows systems nor can I get to the repair console on the setup disk (process hangs up before it gets there). I'd like to reformat the drive and do a fresh install.

Hello and welcome to PC Help Forum.

Did you enter BIOS/Setup set first boot device to CD rom put in XP reinstall disk save and exit?

Already did that.....I do that to most of my sytems. If I had some way to format the hard drive from a boot cd of some kind that would be good.

Have you actualy got full install disk?

Is the disk scratched or damaged?

Do you have recovery console installed on this computer?

Yes I do have the full disk......no installed recovery console though

You can try first with a boot cd I suppose.Bootdisk.Com

I've tried that and unless I'm missed something the programs i got from him don't give me a format path.